EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 09: Lionel Messi of Argentina smiles during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Canada and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

...

Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

Are you ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

We are only a few short days away from the tournament kicking off in Mexico, as the Mexican National Team goes against South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca to open up the biggest World Cup of all time.

Gone are 32 teams, with 48 nations now clashing across 12 different groups to make it into July and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the World Cup Final.

Read More on Sports

With so many new players, debutant countries, and returning heroes, it's difficult to keep up with what is going on in each of the 12 first-round groups.

Don't fret, though, as Newsweek has you covered.

Here is a group preview from A to L, breaking down the highlight match of each quartet, a player to watch, and, most importantly, predictions on who will make it into the knockout rounds.

More news: 3 Takeaways From The USMNT’s Final World Cup Warmup vs Germany

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 18: Raul Jimenez #9 of Mexico celebrates with his teammates after scoring a penalty during an international friendly match between Mexico and Paraguay at Alamodome on November 18, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

...

More news: 17 Years Old and Playing in the World Cup? Meet the 3 Youngest Players

Group A Preview

Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11, 3:00 PM ET)

South Korea vs. Czechia (June 11, 10:00 PM ET)

Czechia vs. South Africa (June 18, 12:00 PM ET)

Mexico vs. South Korea (June 18, 9:00 PM ET)

Czechia vs. Mexico (June 24, 9:00 PM ET)

South Africa vs. South Korea (June 24, 9:00 PM ET)

Group B Preview

Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 12, 3:00 PM ET)

Qatar vs. Switzerland (June 13, 3:00 PM ET)

Switzerland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 18, 3:00 PM ET)

Canada vs. Qatar (June 18, 6:00 PM ET)

Switzerland vs. Canada (June 24, 3:00 PM ET)

Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar (June 24, 3:00 PM ET)

Group C Preview

Brazil vs. Morocco (June 13, 6:00 PM ET)

Haiti vs. Scotland (June 13, 9:00 PM ET)

Scotland vs. Morocco (June 19, 6:00 PM ET)

Brazil vs. Haiti (June 19, 8:30 PM ET)

Scotland vs. Brazil (June 24, 6:00 PM ET)

Morocco vs. Haiti (June 24, 6:00 PM ET)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 31: Christian Pulisic of United States celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

...

Group D Preview

USA vs. Paraguay (June 12, 9:00 PM ET)

Australia vs. Türkiye (June 13, 12:00 AM ET)

USA vs. Australia (June 19, 3:00 PM ET)

Türkiye vs. Paraguay (June 19, 11:00 PM ET)

Türkiye vs. USA (June 25, 10:00 PM ET)

Paraguay vs. Australia (June 25, 10:00 PM ET)

Group E Preview

Germany vs. Curaçao (June 14, 1:00 PM ET)

Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (June 14, 7:00 PM ET)

Germany vs. Ivory Coast (June 20, 4:00 PM ET)

Ecuador vs. Curaçao (June 20, 8:00 PM ET)

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast (June 25, 4:00 PM ET)

Ecuador vs. Germany (June 25, 4:00 PM ET)

Group F Preview

Netherlands vs. Japan (June 14, 4:00 PM ET)

Sweden vs. Tunisia (June 14, 10:00 PM ET)

Netherlands vs. Sweden (June 20, 1:00 PM ET)

Tunisia vs. Japan (June 21, 12:00 AM ET)

Japan vs. Sweden (June 25, 7:00 PM ET)

Tunisia vs. Netherlands (June 25, 7:00 PM ET)

Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah removes the captain's armband during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) third place football match between Egypt and Nigeria at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on January 17, 2026. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)

...

Group G Preview

Iran vs. New Zealand (June 15, 3:00 PM ET)

Belgium vs. Egypt (June 15, 9:00 PM ET)

Belgium vs. Iran (June 21, 3:00 PM ET)

New Zealand vs. Egypt (June 21, 9:00 PM ET)

Egypt vs. Iran (June 26, 6:00 PM ET)

New Zealand vs. Belgium (June 26, 9:00 PM ET)

Group H Preview

Spain vs. Cape Verde (June 15, 12:00 PM ET)

Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (June 15, 6:00 PM ET)

Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (June 21, 12:00 PM ET)

Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (June 21, 6:00 PM ET)

Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (June 26, 8:00 PM ET)

Uruguay vs. Spain (June 26, 8:00 PM ET)

Group I Preview

France vs. Senegal (June 16, 3:00 PM ET)

Iraq vs. Norway (June 16, 6:00 PM ET)

France vs. Norway (June 22, 3:00 PM ET)

Senegal vs. Iraq (June 22, 6:00 PM ET)

Norway vs. Senegal (June 28, 3:00 PM ET)

Iraq vs. France (June 28, 3:00 PM ET)

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

...

Group J Preview

Argentina vs. Algeria (June 16, 9:00 PM ET)

Austria vs. Jordan (June 16, 9:00 PM ET)

Argentina vs. Jordan (June 22, 9:00 PM ET)

Algeria vs. Austria (June 22, 9:00 PM ET)

Austria vs. Argentina (June 28, 6:00 PM ET)

Jordan vs. Algeria (June 28, 6:00 PM ET)

Group K Preview

Portugal vs. DR Congo (June 17, 3:00 PM ET)

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (June 17, 6:00 PM ET)

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (June 23, 3:00 PM ET)

Colombia vs. DR Congo (June 23, 6:00 PM ET)

Colombia vs. Portugal (June 27, 6:00 PM ET)

DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (June 27, 6:00 PM ET)

Group L Preview

Ghana vs. Panama (June 17, 9:00 PM ET)

England vs. Croatia (June 17, 9:00 PM ET)

England vs. Ghana (June 23, 12:00 PM ET)

Panama vs. Croatia (June 23, 3:00 PM ET)

Panama vs. England (June 27, 3:00 PM ET)

Croatia vs. Ghana (June 27, 3:00 PM ET)

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines