The expanded 48-team World Cup means more nations than ever will reach the knockouts with an extra round-of-32 stage to negotiate.
Using our World Cup group-stage predictions, we have projected the final standings in all 12 groups and mapped out the resulting round-of-32 bracket predictions.
While surprises are inevitable across a month-long tournament, the strongest squads tend to rise to the top over three matches and that is reflected in the rankings below.
Group A
1st - Mexico 2nd - Czech Republic 3rd - South Korea 4th - South Africa
Co-hosts Mexico will benefit from home advantage and possess the strongest overall squad in Group A. The Czech Republic can edge South Korea in the battle for second thanks to greater defensive organisation and set-piece threat, while South Africa may struggle for goals. The hosts should take top spot en route to the Round of 32.
Group A Fixtures - Group A table
Group B
1st - Switzerland 2nd - Canada 3rd - Bosnia & Herzegovina 4th - Qatar
Switzerland look comfortably the best team in the group and should win all three matches. Co-hosts Canada have home advantage, which could give them the edge to secure second place. Bosnia & Herzegovina are competitive and could get through as one of the best third-placed teams, while after taking zero points four years ago in a home World Cup, Qatar appear vulnerable once more.
Group B Fixtures - Group B table
Group C
1st - Brazil 2nd - Morocco 3rd - Scotland 4th - Haiti
Brazil have been handed one of the kinder groups in the tournament and should progress with ease. Morocco's blend of defensive discipline and tournament experience can secure second place. Scotland, meanwhile, could advance as one of the best third-placed teams if they make a strong start against Haiti in their opening match.
With three points potentially enough to reach the knockout rounds, that fixture offers a huge opportunity. Steve Clarke's side will target victory and a healthy goal difference, knowing it could prove decisive in the race for one of the best third-place berths. If they can take advantage, Scotland may finally reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history.
Group C Fixtures - Group C table
Group D
1st - Turkey 2nd - USA 3rd - Paraguay 4th - Australia
Turkey's young attacking core gives them the edge in what should be a competitive group. The USA possess enough quality to follow them through to the round of 32, especially with home support. Paraguay are organised but may lack goals, while Australia look the weakest side.
Group D Fixtures - Group D table
Group E
1st - Ecuador 2nd - Germany 3rd - Ivory Coast 4th - Curacao
Ecuador could be one of the surprise packages of the tournament and are fancied to top the group. Germany should still qualify comfortably in second, while Ivory Coast may prove unfortunate not to progress automatically to the round of 32. Curacao face a difficult assignment against three superior opponents.
Group E Fixtures - Group E table
Group F
1st - Japan 2nd - Netherlands 3rd - Sweden 4th - Tunisia
This looks one of the toughest groups to call. Japan's exciting brand of football and pace in attack can see them finish narrowly ahead of the Netherlands, while Sweden remain dangerous outsiders. Tunisia may struggle to keep pace with three nations expected to challenge for the knockout rounds.
Group F Fixtures - Group F table
Group G
1st - Belgium 2nd - Egypt 3rd - New Zealand 4th - Iran
Belgium possess too much attacking quality for the rest of the group and should finish top. Egypt look best placed to secure second thanks to their experience and defensive structure. New Zealand and Iran are evenly matched but may find qualification beyond them.
Group G Fixtures - Group G table
Group H
1st - Spain 2nd - Uruguay 3rd - Saudi Arabia 4th - Cape Verde
Spain should dominate possession throughout the group stage and have the quality to win all three matches. Uruguay are clear second favourites and can progress comfortably, while Saudi Arabia may do enough to remain in the conversation for a third-place qualification berth if they can see off debutants Cape Verde.
Group H Fixtures - Group H table
Group I
1st - France 2nd - Norway 3rd - Senegal 4th - Iraq
France are one of the favourites for the trophy and should top the group despite a tricky draw. Norway's attacking quality can carry them into second, while Senegal are unfortunate to find themselves in such a difficult group but have the quality to make it through. Iraq may struggle against three stronger opponents.
Group I Fixtures - Group I table
Group J
1st - Argentina 2nd - Austria 3rd - Algeria 4th - Jordan
Argentina have the quality and experience to negotiate the group with minimal fuss. Austria continue to improve under Ralf Rangnick and can secure second, while Algeria and Jordan may find the step up in class difficult against the top two seeds.
Group J Fixtures - Group J table
Group K
1st - Portugal 2nd - Colombia 3rd - Uzbekistan 4th - DR Congo
Portugal and Colombia are both capable of deep tournament runs and should comfortably occupy the top two positions. Portugal's superior depth gives them the edge for first place. Uzbekistan and DR Congo are competitive but may struggle to consistently create chances.
Group K Fixtures - Group K table
Group L
1st - England 2nd - Croatia 3rd - Ghana 4th - Panama
England look ideally placed to win the group and could emerge with a perfect record, particularly if they get their tournament off to a fast start when meeting Croatia first up.
Despite an ageing squad, Croatia remain a quality outfit and should finish second. Ghana may stay in contention for a best third-place spot, while Panama are unlikely to find anything from a tough group.
Group L Fixtures - Group L table
The latest 2026 World Cup odds are available on LiveScore Bet
World Cup Round of 32 Bracket Predictions
The projected round-of-32 ties based on those group standings are:
Ecuador vs Paraguay
France vs Sweden
Czech Republic vs Canada
Japan vs Morocco
Colombia vs Croatia
Spain vs Austria
Turkiye vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
Belgium vs Saudi Arabia
Brazil vs Netherlands
Germany vs Norway
Mexico vs Scotland
England vs Senegal
Argentina vs Uruguay
USA vs Egypt
Switzerland vs Ivory Coast
Portugal vs Ghana
Our predicted winners from the round of 32 are Ecuador, France, Czech Republic, Japan, Colombia, Spain, Turkiye, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Mexico, England, Argentina, USA, Switzerland and Portugal.
The most eye-catching ties are undoubtedly Brazil against the Netherlands and Germany vs Norway, with the Dutch and Norwegians springing an upset in our bracket predictions.
England are predicted to overcome Senegal in a rematch of the last-16 clash from Qatar 2022 before a possible showdown with co-hosts Mexico, while Argentina and Portugal appear on course for a heavyweight quarter-final.
On the opposite side of the draw, France and Spain look set to remain on collision courses for a potential semi-final meeting.
Follow every World Cup 2026 fixture, result and standing throughout the tournament on LiveScore.
