The expanded World Cup format has thrown up some of the more one sided groups in recent memories. Hot favourites are paired with first timers or returning nations, while a few minnows are set to offer up a lamb to slaughter for some decently-talented groups. With that said, it is time to predict who will win each group based on opposition and form.
Group A
Containing co-hosts Mexico, Korea Republic, Czechia, and South Africa, this is one of the more interesting groups as there is no clear superpower to choose from. Even the best online betting site have gone with just the easy pick of the home team at 4/7.
This is a good pick when looking at their competitors, Czechia were a stronger unit in the past but they needed the playoffs to even make it this far so the talent of the Gold Cup winners makes them favourites to get the top spot.
Group B
Another actively interesting collection of talents, Group B has co-hosts Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Swiss side are the favourites at 8/11 as they have the most talented lineup having looked good in European qualifying and bringing top talents like Granit Xhaka to the table. But after Qatar forced a draw on Saturday, this group is wide open.
Group C
One of the easier picks, Group C features Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti. While there is some uncertainty as to who will sneak through in second, the Brazilian unit should have too much quality for anyone to match. At 4/1 there is trust in the abilities of Don Carlo who has made the Selecao into a strong attacking unit, which should be enough to fire their way through the group stage.
Group D
A much tougher World Cup group to predict, Group D has the final co-host the USA, Australia, Paraguay, and Turkiye. The betting markets have gone for the simple pick of the USA national team but that is ignoring a strong dark horse contender in Turkiye. The Turkish squad has a lot of talent, namely Kenan Yildiz, and looked great in qualifying, only falling to Spain and finishing behind one of the best teams in the world. Overlooking Turkiye would be a mistake.
Group E
Featuring a mish-mash of names, Group E has Germany, Curacao, Cote D’Ivoire, and Ecuador. This is a much more talented and difficult group for Germany than it appears on the surface. The former winners are at ⅓ odds to win the group but that seems a bit simplistic from the betting markets. Their manager hasn’t fully settled on his best setup and the lack of a reliable striker could se them struggle against the strong defending of Ecuador and the firepower of the Ivory Coast. Our pick is controversial but the Cote D’Ivoire might pip this one.
Group F
An exciting group for the purists, Group F will see Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia square off. Some excellent players and attackers in particular are on hand here and this could be a group win decided on goal difference. The Netherlands are at 8/11 odds to top the list and that feels like the best pick, their depth of talent has less flaws than their competitors and Ronald Koeman is a strong manager at the helm.
Group G
The betting markets have Belgium at ⅓ favourites to win a group against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. There’s almost no world in which they drop enough points to fall from top spot as the talent gap is just too wide between them and their opponents.
Group H
Another one that the betting markets have gotten right. Spain are former winners and one of the world’s best teams. They are in-form and are betting favourites at ⅙ to win the group. They should be able to dispatch of Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay with relative ease.
Group I
As this goes on the groups get more and more predictable as the world’s best enter the fray. France are the obvious head honchos this time around. Winners and then finalists, they enter as one of the favourites to win the entire tournament and ⅖ odds of topping their group ahead of Senegal, Norway, and Iraq.
Group J
Holders Argentina have kept their core including Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, and Emi Martinez from their tournament win last time out. They should have too much quality in a group full of minnows as the betting markets have them at a strong 4/11 to win this one.
Group K
At 4/9 odds Portugal are the obvious picks to win this one. Regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo’s age, the team is loaded with talent like Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, and more. Their only competitions could come from Colombia but even that isn’t likely to see them fall from first place.
Group L
Thomas Tuchel’s undefeated England enter this group as the likeliest winners. They haven’t let in a single goal in a competitive match which should bode well against Croatia and Panama, enough to give them a likely first place finish which the betting markets agree with as they have the Three Lions at 1/3.
