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Expert prediction

FIFA World Cup Draw, Latest Odds, and Early Picks (2026)

  • Alex Dudley
  • Dec 8, 2025 at 6:52 AM EST

Pick rationale

Analysis & key factors

The glamorous draw procedure made international headlines last week, but the paths for some of the world’s best soccer players to achieve immortality is now set. The FIFA World Cup will get underway in Mexico on June 11, as the hosts clash with South Africa. Below, you can find all the information surrounding the FIFA World Cup Draw, as well as an early pick to win the competition.

FIFA World Cup Overview

StatInformation
WhenThursday, June 11, 2026 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
WhereVarious Stadiums, North America
How to WatchFox Sports/Telemundo

FIFA World Cup Draw

Group A

NationBest World Cup ShowingOdds to Win Group AOdds to Win World Cup
MexicoQuarter-Finals (1970, 1986)+115+8000
South AfricaGroup Stage (1996, 2002, 2010)+1800+50000
South KoreaFourth Place (2002)+300+17500
UEFA Path D WinnerTBC+200TBC

Mexico will have home field advantage for all three of their group stage games, kicking off against South Africa on June 11, before facing South Korea on June 18, and the winners of the UEFA Playoff. South Korea could be the dark-horse in this group, and they would be an early pick to win the group.

Free Pick:

Group B

NationBest World Cup ShowingOdds to Win Group BOdds to Win World Cup
CanadaGroup Stage (1986, 2022)+300+20000
UEFA Path A WinnerTBC+145TBC
QatarGroup Stage (2022)+2000+100000
SwitzerlandQuarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954)+150+8000

Like Mexico, Canada will have home field advantage for all three group stage games, kicking off with the UEFA Path A Winner, before facing Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver. Switzerland could be the value play based on the early prices after enjoying an excellent qualifying campaign.

Free Pick:

Group C

NationBest World Cup ShowingOdds to Win Group COdds to Win World Cup
BrazilWinners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)-400+800
MoroccoFourth Place (2022)+375+8000
HaitiDebutants+5000+250000
ScotlandGroup Stage (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996)+1200+30000

Five-time winners Brazil will head the betting to win Group C, but they will have serious questions to answer if they are to win the World Cup this summer. Morocco impressed in the 2022 World Cup, and they could give the South Americans a serious opening game of the tournament.

Free Pick:

Group D

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group D OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
USAThird Place (1930)+140+6600
ParaguayQuarter-Finals (2010)+260+20000
AustraliaRound of 16 (2006, 2022)+900+25000
UEFA Path C WinnerTBC+220TBC

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA were one of the big winners during the FIFA World Cup draw, and they will have no excuses in terms of gaining progression through to the next round. Paraguay could join the hosts in the next round, but home fans will be demanding three wins from three in Group D.

Free Pick:

Group E

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group E OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
GermanyWinners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)-250+1200
CuracaoDebutants+10000+200000
Ivory CoastGroup Stage (2006, 2010, 2014)+700+20000
EcuadorRound of 16 (2006)+285+8000

Germany will be widely expected to top Group E and put their recent disappointments at the World Cup behind them. However, Ecuador could be an interesting angle to upset the odds after qualifying for the finals in stunning fashion, and boasting one of the best defensive records.

Free Pick:

Group F

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group F OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
NetherlandsRunners-Up (1974, 1978, 2010)-125+2200
JapanRound of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)+325+10000
UEFA Path B WinnerTBC+350TBC
TunisiaGroup Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)+1000+40000

The Netherlands have been losing finalists in three previous editions of the World Cup. This could be a challenging group for the Dutch to navigate. Japan have been one of the emerging national teams in recent editions of the competition, and I like their chances of going deep in the World Cup next summer.

Free Pick:

Group G

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group G OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
BelgiumThird Place (2018)-275+4000
EgyptRound of 16 (1934)+550+15000
IranGroup Stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)+450+50000
New ZealandGroup Stage (1982, 2010)+2500+75000

Group G should be a straightforward assignment for a talented Belgium team. They open their campaign in Seattle against Egypt, before facing Iran in California and New Zealand in Vancouver. It should be maximum points for the Europeans.

Free Pick:

Group H

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group H OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
SpainWinners (2010)-500+450
Cape VerdeDebutants+4000+175000
Saudi ArabiaRound of 16 (1994)+2200+75000
UruguayWinners (1930, 1950)+375+5000

Reigning European champions Spain will face an interesting challenge for top spot in Group H, as Uruguay have plenty of ability within their squad. A lot will hinge on the clash between the nations on matchday three in Mexico on June 26.

Free Pick:

Group I

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group I OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
FranceWinners (1998, 2018)-190+800
SenegalQuarterfinals (2002)+575+12500
IC Path 2 WinnerTBC+2800TBC
NorwayRound of 16 (1938, 1998)+275+2800

Arguably the most fascinating group comes in the form of Group I. France will be heavily favored to progress, while Norway are the trend selection for many following the draw. However, the climate could play into the hands of Senegal, who have already taken some notable scalps in 2025.

Free Pick:

Group J

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group J OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
ArgentinaWinners (1978, 1986, 2022)-350+850
AlgeriaRound of 16 (2014)+750+25000
AustriaThird Place (1954)+450+12500
JordanDebutants+3300+250000

The reigning world champions should have a straightforward passage through to the knockout stages. Argentina opens their World Cup defense against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, before facing Austria and Jordan on June 22 and June 27, respectively. Maximum points is expected.

Free Pick:

Group K

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group K OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
PortugalThird Place (1966)-169+1100
IC Path 1 WinnerTBC+1400TBC
UzbekistanDebutants+2200+20000
ColombiaQuarterfinals (2018)+150+5000

Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup will get underway in Houston on June 17, before Portugal face interesting challenges against Uzbekistan and Colombia on June 23 and June 27. A talented Portuguese side should have too much for their rivals.

Free Pick:

Group L

NationBest World Cup ShowingTo Win Group L OddsTo Win World Cup Odds
EnglandWinners (1966)-280+600
CroatiaFinalists (2018)+300+8000
GhanaQuarterfinals (2010)+1000+30000
PanamaGroup Stage (2018)+4000+75000

England will have a sense of déjà vu from the 2018 World Cup, as they face Panama in the group stage. The Three Lions saw their dreams dashed in the semi-final of that tournament by their matchday one opponents, Croatia. Thomas Tuchel’s talented squad have shown huge improvements in tournament soccer since then, and they should professionally make it through Group L as winners.

Free Pick:

Soccer

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