Germany have won nine successive games in the build-up to this World Cup and have scored 28 goals in total. They have put at least four past Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Luxembourg and face a Curacao side that have lost 4-1 to Scotland and 5-1 to Australia in recent months.

Ivory Coast have never previously made it out of the group stage and may play conservatively in this one to avoid defeat. Ecuador, meanwhile, have drawn nine of their last 13 matches with all nine of those stalemates featuring fewer than three goals.

The Netherlands have failed to win three of their last five matches, spurning some good chances in a recent 1-0 loss to Algeria, while Japan are undefeated in their last seven, including wins over Brazil and England. Japan can at least avoid defeat in their opener. 

Both teams have scored in each of Sweden’s last six games and they have gone 11 without a clean sheet, shipping 23 goals in total during that run. Tunisia have conceded in seven of their last nine games and with both defences looking suspect goals at both ends looks a good starting point in this Group F game.

Germany have scored exactly four goals in three of their last nine games, including two 4-0 victories. It’s hard to see them conceding against a Curacao side likely to set up with their backs to the wall, while the Blue Wave shipped four goals against Scotland in May.

Japan have not conceded in their last five matches, but they were all friendlies and this match is crucial for both sides. The Netherlands have conceded exactly one goal in four of their last five games, including two 1-1 draws. That looks the most likely outcome given Japan have not scored more than once in their last three.

Florian Wirtz may have struggled in his first Premier League season, but the Liverpool man continues to show up for Germany. He has scored three goals in his four national team outings this year, including one against Finland in the warm-up friendlies.

Both of Sweden’s star strikers will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet but Viktor Gyokeres is the preferred option. The Arsenal forward scored in a draw with Greece in their final warm-up game and Alexander Isak failed to impress in that friendly. 

Keito Nakamura has scored two goals and assisted two more in his last five games for Japan. The wing-back has license to bomb forward and recently scored four goals in one game for Reims.

Germany have won nine successive games in the build-up to this World Cup and have scored 28 goals in total. They have put at least four past Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Luxembourg and face a Curacao side that have lost 4-1 to Scotland and 5-1 to Australia in recent months.

Ivory Coast have never previously made it out of the group stage and may play conservatively in this one to avoid defeat. Ecuador, meanwhile, have drawn nine of their last 13 matches with all nine of those stalemates featuring fewer than three goals.

Japan are on an eight-game scoring streak and the Netherlands have scored in 15 of their last 16 games. Both of these attacks look in good form and both can get on the scoresheet.

Malaga are on an eight-game unbeaten streak and they have won eight of their last 13 at home, losing just one. They can make home advantage count in the first leg against Almeria, who have three defeats and just one win in their last six away from home.

The Netherlands may be forced to shoot from range at various stages against a well organised Japan side and that would make Ryan Gravenberch an attacking outlet for the Dutch. Gravenberch averaged over one shot per-game in the Premier League for Liverpool and around 80% of his attempts were from outside the area. He also had two shots in two of his final three qualifying appearances for his country.

Hannibal Mejbri has more attacking responsibility for Tunisia than he does for club side Burnley but he still averaged a respectable 0.7 attempts per-game for a poor Clarets side in the Premier League, with five attempts in total across his final four games of the season. Mejbri averaged 1.3 shots per-game for the Eagles of Carthage at AFCON and should get a few chances against a suspect Sweden defence

The Netherlands may be forced to shoot from range at various stages against a well organised Japan side and that would make Ryan Gravenberch an attacking outlet for the Dutch. Gravenberch averaged over one shot per-game in the Premier League for Liverpool and around 80% of his attempts were from outside the area. He also had two shots in two of his final three qualifying appearances for his country.

Japan are on an eight-game scoring streak and the Netherlands have scored in 15 of their last 16 games. Both of these attacks look in good form and both can get on the scoresheet. 

Both teams have scored in each of Sweden’s last six games and they have gone 11 without a clean sheet, shipping 23 goals in total during that run. Tunisia have conceded in seven of their last nine games and with both defences looking suspect goals at both ends looks a good starting point in this Group F game.

The Netherlands have failed to win three of their last five matches, spurning some good chances in a recent 1-0 loss to Algeria, while Japan are undefeated in their last seven, including wins over Brazil and England. The Blue Samurai can at least avoid defeat in their World Cup opener. 

Japan are on an eight-game scoring streak and the Netherlands have scored in 15 of their last 16 games. Both of these attacks look in good form and both can get on the scoresheet. 

Hannibal Mejbri has more attacking responsibility for Tunisia than he does for club side Burnley but he still averaged a respectable 0.7 attempts per-game for a poor Clarets side in the Premier League, with five attempts in total across his final four games of the season. Mejbri averaged 1.3 shots per-game for the Eagles of Carthage at AFCON and should get a few chances against a suspect Sweden defence

Erling Haaland had 16 goals in eight games over qualifying and enjoyed another excellent season domestically with 38 goals across all competitions. Haaland’s Norway face France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage and he could reach four goals in those three games alone.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Lamine Yamal is the most exciting attacking talent in a strong Spain side and he has a habit of scoring eye-catching goals, those attributes can be key in deciding where the player of the tournament award ends up.

In terms of technical ability Neuer is right up there with the best stoppers of all time and the fact he is now playing for a fairly average Germany side, by their standards anyway, could actually work in his favour in the battle for Golden Glove honours as he may have more saves to make and more work in terms of organising his defence.

Rayan Cherki had 12 Premier League assists for Manchester City this season and he also provided a further four in 11 games across their EFL Cup and FA Cup successes. France have an incredible attacking line-up and Cherki will be picking out passes for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Desire Doue.

Julian Alvarez has developed a reputation as a striker who raises his levels in cup competitions having scored 22 goals in 32 Champions League games for current club Atletico Madrid and Manchester City across the last three seasons. Argentina will face Algeria, Jordan and Austria in the group stages, so Alvarez could grab a few goals in the group phase and that makes him a contender to top the scoring charts.

Spain are the current favourites and seem set for a deep run at the World Cup. La Roja also have a kind draw with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia joining them in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona in 28 games and is among the contenders to top the World Cup 2026 scoring charts.

Kylian Mbappe finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and he scored five goals in four games during qualifying. France are among the tournament favourites and are likely to reach the latter stages and they will face Iraq, Senegal and Norway in the group stages, so Mbappe may be able to score a few goals in the earlier rounds.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

World Cup surprise packages tend to have solid defensive records and a core group of quality players. Japan have some real midfield quality in Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ritsu Doan, and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. After five straight wins to nil, Japan look capable of recording their best ever tournament finish this summer. The expanded field should play into their hands, but they’ve proven capable of upsetting football’s elite in the past.

Ecuador conceded only five goals across their 18 South American qualifiers, losing just two of 18 games across the toughest qualifying route in the world. They put together an 18-game unbeaten run ahead of the tournament, which is largely built on defensive solidity. While they aren’t thrilling in the final third, being hard to beat helped take Morocco and Croatia far four years ago. In a tournament where the heat is expected to work against progressive, attacking sides, Ecuador could thrive.

Portugal have landed in a winnable group alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. Winning that group would give them a softer run in the early knockout rounds, before a potential meeting with Argentina in the quarter-finals. They beat hosts Germany 2-1 in the Nations League semis before triumphing over Spain, and edging those big clashes suggests they could become the ninth country to win the World Cup.

Since winning Euro 2024, Spain have extended their unbeaten record to 28 matches, reaching the final of the Nations League and breezing through their World Cup qualifying campaign. European sides have historically struggled in tournaments held in other continents, but that trend appears to be turning. Spain won in South Africa in 2010, followed by Germany’s success in Brazil four years later. France were a shootout away from repeating the trick four years ago. There hasn’t been a World Cup final without a European side since 1950, and the European champions can extend that streak this summer.

Australia may be the underdogs in Group D, but this is arguably the most competitive group in the World Cup and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a few upsets shake up the pecking order.

The Socceroos may lack star quality, but they are tactically sound under Tony Popovic and head into the tournament in good form. They won two group-stage games in Qatar four years ago and, with the expanded tournament format, a single win in Group D could be enough to see them through to the knockout stages again.

Sweden’s squad has all the individual components to construct a good side, but the cohesion is lacking for Graham Potter’s men and all three of their Group F competitors are capable of beating them.

They are fortunate to have made it this far after a dismal qualifying campaign in which they failed to win a single game. They scraped past Poland in their play-off final and have failed to beat both Greece and Norway so far this year.

Taking part in their first World Cup since then-Zaire qualified for the 1974 edition, DR Congo have a reasonable chance of picking up their first World Cup points this time around.

The likes of Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa give them plenty of quality going forward and their defence is well-staffed with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, and Arthur Masuaku.

It would not be a surprise to see them nick a result against either Norway or France, and a win over Uzbekistan appears likely.

Ghana have plenty of quality going forward, but the absence of the injured Mohammed Kudus is a big blow and they head into the tournament in woeful form.

They have lost five of their last six games and Carlos Queiroz’s first two games in charge have yielded defeat to Mexico and a draw with Wales. The Portuguese manager has not had time to get to grips with this squad and they have won just two of their last 13 major tournament fixtures.

Panama may be outsiders, but they are compact enough to frustrate Ghana, and it’s difficult to see the Black Stars getting anything from Croatia or England.

Co-hosts Mexico may face stiff competition from Czechia and South Korea, but a home crowd and a favourable travel schedule could make all the difference.

El Tri, who are unbeaten in eight games, play all three of their group games at high altitude and have the lowest travelling distance of any team at the World Cup. Their squad consists largely of domestic-based players, who will be acclimatised to the conditions in Mexico City and Zapopan.

The teams in Group D appear relatively well-matched, but USA will be hoping that home advantage can play a part in securing top spot.

They beat both Paraguay and Australia in friendlies last year, and a repeat of those successes would likely be enough to get them over the line, although Turkey are the biggest threat to those hopes.

Germany begin their World Cup campaign against minnows Curacao, and it is hard to see anything other than a winning start for a side boasting some of the most exciting attackers in the world.

They have won their last eight games and are likely to have too much for both Ecuador and Ivory Coast, so it would not be a surprise to see them top the standings with maximum points.

The Netherlands have not lost inside 90 minutes since October 2024 and their rock-solid defence should guide them to the top spot in Group F.

They have a worrying reliance on Memphis Depay going forward and a continued inability to beat the better teams in the competition, but all three of their Group F competitors are there for the taking for Ronald Koeman’s side, who went unbeaten in qualifying.

Spain are outright favourites to lift the trophy in July, and the European champions look primed to ease to top spot in Group H.

Uruguay are their only realistic competition for that position, but they have failed to beat Algeria, England, USA and Mexico in their last four games and are likely to come undone against the star-studded La Roja.

Co-hosts Mexico may face stiff competition from Czechia and South Korea, but a home crowd and a favourable travel schedule could make all the difference.

El Tri, who are unbeaten in eight games, play all three of their group games at high altitude and have the lowest travelling distance of any team at the World Cup. Their squad consists largely of domestic-based players, who will be acclimatised to the conditions in Mexico City and Zapopan.

Switzerland and Canada may be the two favourite sides in Group B, but Bosnia-Herzegovina showed the grit needed in tournament football to beat Wales and Italy en route to World Cup qualification.

Led by veteran Edin Dzeko, they bring a good balance of youth and experience to the tournament. They should beat outsiders Qatar with relative ease, and it would not be a surprise to see them beat either Canada or Switzerland and take top spot.

This crop of Brazil players may lack the superstar quality to pin them as one of the favourites to land a record-extending sixth World Cup, but they should top Group C with ease.

Haiti are huge outsiders and both Morocco and Scotland lack the pedigree and quality to topple Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao.

The teams in Group D appear relatively well-matched, but USA will be hoping that home advantage can play a part in securing top spot.

They beat both Paraguay and Australia in friendlies last year, and a repeat of those successes would likely be enough to get them over the line, although Turkey are the biggest threat to those hopes.

Germany begin their World Cup campaign against minnows Curacao, and it is hard to see anything other than a winning start for a side boasting some of the most exciting attackers in the world.

They have won their last eight games and are likely to have too much for both Ecuador and Ivory Coast, so it would not be a surprise to see them top the standings with maximum points.

The Netherlands have not lost inside 90 minutes since October 2024 and their rock-solid defence should guide them to the top spot in Group F.

They have a worrying reliance on Memphis Depay going forward and a continued inability to beat the better teams in the competition, but all three of their Group F competitors are there for the taking for Ronald Koeman’s side, who went unbeaten in qualifying.

Similar to the Dutch, it is difficult to see this crop of Belgium players going all the way in North America, but they have been handed a favourable group and should ease to top spot.

Egypt will be their biggest threat but their squad lacks quality outside of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, while Iran and New Zealand should pose few problems for the Red Devils.

Spain are outright favourites to lift the trophy in July, and the European champions look primed to ease to top spot in Group H.

Uruguay are their only realistic competition for that position, but they have failed to beat Algeria, England, USA and Mexico in their last four games and are likely to come undone against the star-studded La Roja.

Norway enjoyed a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, but recent performances against the Netherlands and Switzerland hint at an inability to compete with the best sides, and France are certainly in that bracket.

Finalists in the last two World Cups and heading to the 2026 edition as second-favourites, Les Bleus have won eight of their last 10 games and have arguably the best squad in world football.

Continuing the theme of hot favourites living up to the billing, defending champions Argentina have won their last five games and should ease to the group win later this month.

La Albiceleste have form and quality on their side and should kick off proceedings with a big win over Jordan. A meeting with Austria in the second round of fixtures is likely to be key, but Messi and company should be able to navigate that tie.

Portugal made the quarter-finals in Qatar four years ago and there is a case to be made for them being legitimate contenders for their first-ever World Cup crown.

They may not be able to take those last few steps, but they should begin the campaign by topping a relatively easy Group K. Colombia are the biggest threat, but they have lost to both France and Croatia this year and lack the quality of the two-time UEFA Nations League champions.

With Ghana trying to adapt under new manager Carlos Queiroz and Panama huge outsiders, England’s opener against Croatia is likely to decide top spot in Group L and the Three Lions should have enough to see off that threat.

They have won their last two meetings with Croatia and are yet to concede a competitive goal under Thomas Tuchel, while the Vatreni have lost to Brazil and Belgium this year.