PARTY IN THE USA And Mexico and Canada: FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview
- Bhavin Shivaa
- 19 hours ago
- 12 min read
It’s that time of the quadrennial again. Not the Olympics, not the Commonwealth Games, not the ICC Cricket World Cup. It is the biggest of them all. Born in Paris. Forged in the favelas of Brazil. Held in Buenos Aires currently. The FIFA World Cup returns to North America, 32 years on from 1994, when the famous yellow of Brazil flew highest on a day Robert Baggio famously skied his decisive penalty and ‘died standing’.
A lot has changed since then. To catch you up, we go into this edition on the back of a historic Argentina victory. They have also triumphed in the last two Copa Americas. Spain are defending Euros champions. Qatar, the 2022 WC hosts, are the reigning AFC Asian Cup winners. Senegal Morocco hold the AFCON under truly contentious circumstances!
We remember the huge uproar that Qatar witnessed for their inhumane treatment of labour workers in the lead-up to the last edition. Protests were the usual order of business, with several teams and organisations voicing their concerns. North America 2026 seems set to best its predecessor in making noise by some margin. The government of the United States of America has been right in the eye of the storm; co-hosts Canada and Mexico have flown right under the radar in the meantime. For context, Donald Trump is back in power. The world is a tumultuous battlefield, with the US seemingly entering (often starting) a new conflict every day. A never-ending travel ban list. Death threats and non-entry for the Iran national team. Referees and fans from the Global South turned away due to their nationality. Ticket prices so high that surely even the Burj Khalifa can barely afford them. What about the uproar you ask? Nada. Western nation tax.
But, as her majesty Freddie Mercury said, the show must go on. In this hottest of hot sunny summers, leaving the name of the hosts where the sun don’t shine, let’s get to the football now. (And do scroll till the end to see Edict Sports' predictions!)
Format: 48 teams into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group qualify + 8/12 best third-placed teams, giving us our Round of 32. Straight knockouts from there all the way to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the final is set to take place on July 19.
Seeding: In a first for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, teams were seeded per their FIFA rankings at the time of the draw (Dec 2025). The top 4 were Spain, Argentina, France, and England in that order. Spain and France on one side, Argentina and England on the other. Meaning? If the winner of every game is the higher-ranked team, the final four would be these four teams, with France and Spain playing one semifinal and Argentina and England the other. La Roja and La Albiceleste, thus, can only meet each other in the final. Scrumptuous.
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Group A
Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea.
Top 2:
Mexico: Co-hosting is when they have historically been at their best in 1970 and 1986, where they reached the last eight. With Javier Aguirre back as manager for his third time after 2002 and 2010, El Tricolor will want to top their relatively comfortable group.
South Korea: Asia’s most successful World Cup unit. Unbeaten in the qualifiers and on their 11th consecutive appearance at the world stage. Only Brazil, Germany, Argentina, and Spain can boast better. Led by world stars Son Heung-Min, Kim Min-Jae, and Lee Kang-In, the Reds will want to reach the Ro32 comfortably.
Look Out For:
Patrick Shick (Czechia): Big tournament pedigree. He will need to be firing in full force if Czechia are to make it out.
Close Call: South Korea to top the group.
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Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Switzerland, Qatar.
Top 2:
Switzerland: A seasoned squad boasting an experienced unit of Gregor Kobel (BVB), Manuel Akanji (Inter), and Granit Xhaka (Sunderland). Knockout regulars in tournaments. La Nati will be expecting to coast through what is a fairly middle-order group with no big names.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: At an astronomical 650/1 odds to make it out of the group stage, Edin Dzeko-led Bosnia will be looking to continue their hot streak. They are helped by young talent in PSV midfielder Esmir Bajraktarevic, who scored the winning penalty to book their seats to North America. Bosnia will need to shackle up their defence, and hope their country’s greatest-ever stalwart can deliver for them one more time at 40-years-old.
Look Out For:
Akram Afif (Qatar): Two-time AFC Player of the Year. Qatar have qualified for their first World Cup on merit, and I do back Afif to lead them to qualification.
Close Call: Canada to crash out in the group stages. Jesse Marsch-led Canada will hope talisman Jonathan David will come out firing with star player Alphonso Davies on the mend from an injury.
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Group C
Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland.
Top 2: The first really interesting group I have come across so far, but with 75% of the 48 teams standing to qualify, it ruins the notion of a 'Group of Death'. Brazil and Morocco are going to be a toss-up for 1st and 2nd spot, but I back A Selecao, the most successful international team ever, to get across unscathed at the top. Morocco will comfortably make it too (two?).
Look Out For:
Scott McTominay (Scotland): McFratm. The modern-day Neapolitan Maradona. Scotland’s ‘it’ player will be hoping to fire in a rocket or two to get his team across the groups.
Brahim Diaz (Morocco): Will be out with a point to prove after his last-minute AFCON anticlimax.
Vinicus Jr. (Brazil): Need I say more?
Close Call: Morocco could upset Brazil and top the group. Haiti to sadly crash out with no points and no goals scored.
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Group D
Australia, Paraguay, Turkiye, United States of America.
Top 2:
A fairly balanced group again with no standout units, but a lot of grit throughout.
Turkiye: Led by their dynamite talisman Hakan Calhanhaglou (Inter) and young starlet Arda Guler (Real Madrid), they will be looking to make waves in just their third World Cup finals appearance, and should comfortably qualify in the automatic spots.
United States of America: As much as I dislike it, the main hosts find themselves in a favourable situation. With the odds overwhelmingly in their favour, they should make it out somehow.
Look Out For:
Julio Enciso (Paraguay): The Albiroja’s opener against the USA is not going to be as easy as the hosts may think. Close to home, Enciso will lead a tough fight.
Close Call: Paraguay to qualify in the top 2.
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Group E
Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast.
Top 2:
Germany: Though heavyweights, it surely will not be smooth sailing for them. Internal instability over their goalkeeper situation is one to keep an eye out for. However, they have too much quality not to make it through.
Ivory Coast: A star-studded Les Éléphants team should be set to make some waves in the World Cup. A good blend of experience and young blood, the highest-scoring African team in qualifying should coast through the groups comfortably.
Look Out For:
Kai Havertz (Germany): Never a sure look, but always somehow there. Two UCL final goals, and now a goal against the USA in their warm-up game, he is my pick for top scorer.
Close Call: Don’t rule out Ecuador to make some upsets. A defence-heavy team in star players Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), and Pervis Estupinan (Brighton), while being fronted by the experienced Enner Valencia (Pachuca) and youngster Kendry Paez (River Plate).
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Group F
Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia.
Top 2:
Japan: One of the most exciting units in world football, Japan look set to reign supreme in group F. A well-balanced side that has had a quarter-final qualification snatched out of its hands in consecutive World Cups, the Blue Samurai will hope to finally reach that elusive last eight this time around. They have also developed a notorious image of giant killers in recent cups with famous wins over Germany and Spain.
Netherlands: The tournament’s most successful team to not win the cup, the Netherlands are assured to qualify. Stacked with world-class but occasionally inconsistent talent in the likes of Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), and Memphis Depay (Corinthians), the Oranje will surely want to go deep this summer.
Look Out For:
Takefusa Kubo (Japan): Had the world at his feet in his teenage years. Now finding and reinventing himself with some maturity at Real Sociedad. This could be his World Cup.
Close Call: Despite a hugely talented squad, Sweden will not make it through. Struggling to find pace, with two points from their six qualifiers. The Blagult only made it through to the playoffs because of their UEFA Nations League ranking. Expect their WC campaign to run similarly.
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Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
Top 2: A group where three out of four teams are unsure of themselves on the pitch, and one off the pitch, Group G is defined by instability.
Belgium: Coming off the fumes of their golden generation, their lustre and coating chipping away with age, this is probably the final World Cup for the trio of Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Romelu Lukaku (Inter), and Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).
Iran: Amidst a whole war, Iran land in enemy territory with a point to prove, despite the POTUS’ death threats even! On the back of an upsetting 2022 World Cup, I certainly back Team Melli to redefine their story on enemy territory.
Look Out For:
Mehdi Taremi (Iran): A serial goalscorer for Porto and now Olympiacos. Iran’s focal point for long, their qualification hopes will doubtless hinge on his form.
Close Call: A ropey Egypt team will struggle to click. An out-of-sorts Mohammed Salah (Free Agent) and Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), who has played less football than most players, will need to show up for their side to stand a chance. Mostafa Ziko (Pyramid FC) has been in fine form with two goals in their two warm-up games in the last two weeks.
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Group H
Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay.
Top 2:
Now we get to the juicy stuff.
Spain: My favourites, the bookie’s favourites, and the world’s favourites, Luis de la Fuente’s impeccable machine look set to replicate their dominance of world football like 2008-12. Football so pleasing to the eye that the Sistine Chapel would find itself in tough company, passing dazzling enough to tire your eyes out, and an electric forward line combined with a firepower symbolic of La Roja. Words can do no justice to how good a side they are.
Uruguay: For the Marcelo Bielsa-led La Celeste, it is simply a question of whether they turn up. Well-oiled beyond measure, defined by his infamous 'Murderball', we are left to see if it will materialise after winless windows in November and March. With no names that scream out except Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde, Uruguay will need something to click for them to have a successful campaign in North America.
Look Out For:
Lamine Yamal (Spain): Dancing his way through football like it’s no one’s business, the phenom already has the world at his feet at Barcelona and will look to reinforce his throne at the zenith with Spain.
Close Call: Saudi Arabia, famous victors against the reigning champions, will be hoping to make it out in the new format, led by AFC Player of the Year, Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal), who scored the winner in that game in 2022 as well.
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Group I
France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal.
Top 2:
Another thunderous group with heavyweights all around, be sure to expect fireworks here.
France: Stacked with attacking talent. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), the World Cup’s greatest phenom since Pelé, who needs to add just 5 more goals to his tally of 12 in two World Cups to break Miroslav Klose’s all-time goal record. Ousmanne Dembele (PSG), the reigning Ballon d’Or winner. The likely 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, Michael Olise (Bayern Munich). As if this is not enough, they have teenage sensations Desire Doue (PSG) and Bradley Barcola (PSG). Oh, and also the showstopping Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) behind these forwards to supply them with his twinkle-toed magic. They also have William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), and Mike Maignan (AC Milan) at the back. SCARY!
Senegal: The real AFCON winners enter the tournament with an experienced and talented squad on the back of a brilliant continental campaign marred by controversy in the final. The experienced Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) and Sadio Mane (Al Nassr) will want to lead their outfit deep in the tournament.
Look Out For:
Erling Haaland (Norway): If there is one thing the Mancunian machine that the Norse God is, it is inevitable.
Close Call: A young Norway squad will be hoping to leave a mark in their first edition in 28 years. Spearheaded by Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) and the best goalscorer in world football in Haaland (Manchester City), the Landslaget have it in them to cause an upset or two.
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Group J
Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan.
Top 2:
Argentina: The reigning World Cup champions, led by Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) in his final WC appearance, will be looking to pull out all the stops to defend their crown. It will hurt them to know that no team has successfully defended their crown since Brazil did it in 1962. However, backed by the blistering form of frontmen Lautaro Martinez (Inter) and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), La Albiceleste will want to rewrite history.
Austria: Ralf Rangnick-led Austria will hope to continue their fine qualifying form by sealing automatic qualification in the United States. A high-pressing, defensively robust team defined by the Austrian manager’s radical philosophy, Austria will hope to sustain that intensity in the North American heat.
Look Out For:
Marko Arnautovic (Austria): Austria’s big game player, now plying his trade for Crvena Zvezda in Serbia, will want to continue firing after netting eight times to finish as the second-highest goalscorer in qualifying.
Close Call: Algeria, led by Mohammed Amoura and Riyad Mahrez, will struggle so far out of their comfort zone. Something tells me they are not going to last long in the Americas.
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Group K
Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, Uzbekistan.
Top 2:
Portugal: Boasting the World Cup’s best midfield trio in Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), and the world’s greatest No. 10 in Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Portugal will have high expectations going into Cristiano Ronaldo’s (Al Nassr) final edition as well. They will want to repay CR7 with the one trophy that eludes his studded cabinet.
Colombia: The 2024 Copa America runners-up are sure to qualify comfortably and make a deep run in the tournament. Expect them to at least reach the Ro16 led by Luis Diaz (Bayern) and 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, James Rodriguez (Minnesota United).
Look Out For:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Could this finally be his time to shine? He has a point to prove after his forgettable 2022 outing. Also, Rafael Leao (AC Milan) could well be Portugal’s X-Factor going into the tournament.
Close Call: Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan could surprise a few by sneaking into the Ro32. Keep an eye out for this, as they could yet become the first debutants to qualify for the knockouts since Slovakia in 2010.
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Group L
Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama.
Top 2:
Our last group, and my spiciest prediction yet!
Croatia: 2018 runners-up and 2022 bronze medallists, Croatia will look to round up a hat-trick of successful outings as they go for the title. Led by Luka Modric (AC Milan) in his swansong, they are poised to qualify comfortably.
Ghana: Off the back of a sensational Premier League season that earned him a transfer to Manchester City, where he continued his fine form, Antoine Semenyo will hope to lead his Ghana to the knockouts despite tough opposition in England.
Look Out For:
Ivan Perisic (Croatia): His element of unpredictability, big-game pedigree, and experience will all be needed for Croatia to go deep in the tournament.
Harry Kane (England): The evergreen striker, coming off a plunderous goalscoring season for Bayern Munich, will indubitably continue putting the ball in the back of the net.
Close Call: Fourth-seeded England to disappoint and crash and burn as early as the Ro32. A confused side led by Thomas Tuchel, with an abundance of talent and a dearth of philosophy and direction, England will suffer from the same problems that they always do. Despite two positive Euro runners-up finishes in consecutive tournaments, I do not back them to go far in this tournament. Tuchel, you should have called up Harry Maguire!
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Predictions from the Edict Sportsdesk
Champions
Aneek: France
Bhavin: Spain
Nirajit: Spain
Sidhant: Portugal
Kavya: Spain
Abhiveer: Spain
Losing finalist
Aneek: Portugal
Bhavin: Brazil
Nirajit: Argentina
Sidhant: England
Kavya: England
Abhiveer: England
Scoreline in the final
Aneek: 3-2
Nirajit: 2-2 (3-2 in ET)
Sidhant: 2-1
Kavya: 2-1
Abhiveer: 3-1
Most goals
Aneek: Kylian Mbappe
Abhiveer: Kai Havertz
Aryan: Micah Richards
Bhavin: Kai Havertz
Nirajit: Mikel Oyarzabal
Sidhant: Lamine Yamal
Kavya: Kylian Mbappe
Most assists
Aneek: Bruno Fernandes
Rivika: Rayan Cherki
Aryan: Micah Richards
Bhavin: Bruno Fernandes
Nirajit: Leo Messi
Sidhant: Bruno Fernandes
Kavya: Michael Olise
Player of the Tournament
Aneek: Bruno Fernandes
Aryan: Micah Richards
Bhavin: Lamine Yamal
Nirajit: Lamine Yamal
Sidhant: Jeremy Doku
Kavya: Lamine Yamal
Host countries’ performance predictions
Aneek: Mexico will reach the Ro16, Canada and the USA will be knocked out in the group stages itself.
Abhiveer: Mexico and USA will reach the Ro16, Canada will be knocked out in the group stage.
Bhavin: USA and Mexico Ro32. Canada GS exit.
Nirajit: USA and Mexico Ro16. Canada GS exit.
Sidhant: USA GS exit, Mexico Ro32, Canada Ro16.
Kavya: USA Ro16, Mexico Ro32, Canada GS exit.
Biggest flop (player)
Aneek: Cristiano Ronaldo, great only by Saudi Pro League standards. Expect him to break his “no knockout goals scored ever” curse with a penalty.
Abhiveer: Kylian Mbappe, expect him and France to underwhelm.
Bhavin: Christian Pulisic.
Nirajit: Jude Bellingham.
Sidhant: Kylian Mbappe.
Which powerhouse will be eliminated in the group stage?
Aneek: England. Especially if Jordan Henderson is playing in midfield in the world’s biggest tournament in 2026. Shambolic.
Bhavin: If any, England.
Nirajjit: Out of the big teams, most likely England or Germany.
Sidhant: USA if they're counted as a big team.
Dark horses/ Underdog nations to watch
Aneek: Colombia, Senegal, Japan.
Abhiveer: Scotland, Germany, Colombia.
Dhruv: Turkey, Morocco, Senegal.
Rivika: Germany, Belgium.
Bhavin: Senegal.
Nirajit: Ecuador, Senegal, Colombia.
Sidhant: Colombia, Japan.
Kavya: Croatia, Belgium, Germany.
Which player will have the worst sunburn by the end of the tournament?
Aneek: De Bruyne is the obvious answer, but Haaland too. Don't rule out a cheeky Snapchat update.
Other whack predictions
Bhavin: Miroslav Klose's top scorer record to be broken.
Sidhant: Kobbie Mainoo scores in the final.
Aneek: Donald Trump to pocket a winner's medal (again).
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Edited by Aneek Chatterjee and Maleah Mehta.
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