Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, we go through every group in the expanded 48-country field and examine the teams, highlight the most recent odds, and make predictions.
Group F is set up to be one of the most competitive groups. The Netherlands are the favorites, but Japan should push them all the way. Sweden has the talent to cause upsets, too, while Tunisia won’t be an easy game for anyone.
Could 2026 finally be the time the Netherlands wins its first World Cup? They’re firmly seen as second-tier contenders to win it all at the best World Cup betting sites and will have to navigate a dangerous group to prove they belong in the World Cup winner conversation. The Netherlands topped its qualifying group while winning 6 out of 8 games, with Memphis Depay’s 8 goals a big reason why.
Depay, now the nation’s all-time goalscorer, continues to be the key man up top for the Netherlands. While often inconsistent at club level, he routinely steps up for his country. A hamstring injury ahead of the tournament is a concern, as the Netherlands lacks striker talent. Ronald Koeman’s side makes up for it elsewhere, with standouts across the defense and midfield. Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk continues to lead the back line, Frenkie de Jong pulls the strings in the middle, and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is the team’s creative force outside.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| -140 | -1400 | +1400 |
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Japan will be a fan favorite to go on a deep run after a great 2022 tournament and lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. When people dismiss your picks for a surprise group winner, remind them that Japan beat both Germany and Spain to win Group E in Qatar. Japan continued that momentum into the qualifying campaign, winning 13 of 16 games and conceding only three times.
However, Japan’s boundless energy and pressing style might not be ideal for the hot conditions of the World Cup. Also, the team’s depth will be tested, as Kaoru Mitoma, Koki Machida, and Takumi Minamino will miss the World Cup due to injury. Captain Wataru Endo made the squad, but the Liverpool man is coming off a foot injury. Still, Japan has the talent to compete, as showcased by its 1-0 friendly win over England. Striker Ayase Ueda and winger Takefusa Kubo will be the crucial pieces of Japan’s attack.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +300 | -400 | +5000 |
It’s almost miraculous that Sweden is set to make its 13th appearance at the World Cup. They finished last in their qualifying group and only secured a playoff berth through the Nations League. But they performed when it mattered, with star striker Viktor Gyökeres scoring 4 times against Ukraine and Poland to secure their spot. Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter has overseen this incredible turn in fortunes and leads the nation into the World Cup.
While it’s hard to get rid of the memories of Sweden’s abysmal qualifying campaign, which included two losses to Kosovo, the team has considerable attacking talent. Gyökeres hasn’t always been firing for Arsenal this season, but he’s one of the most well-rounded strikers at the tournament. Likewise, Alexander Isak’s injury-hit first season with Liverpool has been one to forget. But he’s capable of winning games by himself on his day. If Sweden’s defense continues to improve under Potter, Sweden could make a big push for qualification.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +400 | -250 | +6600 |
Tunisia is playing in its third straight World Cup and will be hoping to shock the more established teams in its competitive group and make it to the knockout round for the first time. The team is coming off a disappointing quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations, which saw Sami Trabelsi replaced by Sabri Lamouchi.
Lamouchi has had only five months to make his mark on Tunisia. But solid results in recent friendlies – a win over Haiti and a draw with Canada in Toronto – mean the early signs are promising. Tunisia doesn’t have the firepower of the other teams in its group, though Hannibal Mejbri gives the team a much-needed spark. Its solid defense, which didn’t allow a single goal in qualifying, could frustrate opponents and give Tunisia a chance to surprise.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +900 | +110 | +50000 |
No World Cup group stage goes as expected, and Japan is one of a handful of surprise group winners we’ve gone with. We were certainly more confident before Japan suffered injuries to some key players, but impressive friendly results show they can still get it done. It won’t be an easy task with the Netherlands a top team, but Japan should emerge as the winners.
The Netherlands will still walk through to the next round, but it should be a wake-up call that they’ll need to find an extra gear to make a deep run. While Sweden is in the tournament over teams that played much better during qualifying, they can be a real threat to anyone if their top forwards find form.
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Odds are courtesy of BetMGM and accurate at the time of writing.
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