Predicting the Winners of Groups G-L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be one of the most competitive tournaments in history, with an expanded format bringing more teams and matches into the competition. As nations from across the globe prepare to compete on football's biggest stage, the group stage will play a crucial role in shaping the path to the knockout rounds. Every group features a mix of favorites and underdogs, but only the top teams will secure automatic advancement. After predicting the winners of Groups A-F, I will now shift focus to predicting the winners of Groups G-L.
Group G Winner: Belgium
Group G features Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. While Egypt and Iran are capable of making things difficult throughout the group stage, Belgium enters the tournament as the clear favorite to finish in first place. The ‘Red Devils’ continue to possess a roster filled with talented and experienced players who compete at some of the highest levels of club soccer around the world. However, Belgium's biggest challenge over the years has not been a lack of talent but rather finding a way to consistently perform as a complete team on the international stage. Despite having several highly skilled individuals, the national team has often struggled to fully live up to expectations in major tournaments.
Even with those concerns, I believe Belgium has enough quality to top this group. The squad still features leaders, experienced veterans, and younger players who can make an impact throughout the tournament. Egypt and Iran should provide competitive tests, but Belgium's overall depth and talent level give it an advantage over the rest of the group. If the ‘Red Devils’ can play with confidence and find consistency as a team, they should do enough to finish atop Group G and advance comfortably to the knockout stage as group winners.
Group H Winner: Spain
Group H features Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. While Uruguay has enough talent and experience to compete for a knockout-stage spot, this group appears to set up very well for Spain. Entering the tournament as one of the favorites to win the World Cup, Spain possesses one of the deepest and most talented squads in international soccer. The team is loaded with quality at every position, from its experienced leaders to its emerging young stars, giving it multiple ways to control and win matches.
Spain's possession-based style, technical ability, and overall depth should make it extremely difficult for opponents to keep up throughout the group stage. The Spanish side has the experience, coaching, and talent needed to handle the pressure of major tournaments and consistently perform against lower-ranked opposition. While every World Cup group can produce surprises, Spain appears to have a clear advantage over the rest of the field in Group H. With skill, depth, and experience throughout the roster, I expect Spain to comfortably finish atop the group and advance to the knockout stage as group winners.
Group I Winner: France
Group I features France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. While France enters the tournament as the heavy favorite to finish first, this group may be more competitive than it appears on paper. Both Senegal and Norway possess talented squads capable of causing problems and potentially pulling off an upset if France is not at its best. Senegal has consistently proven it can compete with strong opponents on the international stage, while Norway continues to improve with a talented core of players capable of making an impact in major tournaments.
Despite those challenges, France remains one of the strongest teams in the world and a serious contender to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ‘Les Bleus’ possess elite talent across the field, but their attack may simply be too much for the rest of the group to handle. With players like Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé leading the attack, France has speed, creativity, and goal-scoring ability that few national teams can match. Combined with their depth, experience, and winning mentality, France should have enough quality to navigate a difficult group and finish atop Group I.
Group J Winner: Argentina
Group J features Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. While Austria and Algeria are capable of putting together competitive performances and making matches difficult, Argentina enters the group as the clear favorite to finish in first place. The reigning World Cup champions know what it takes to succeed on the biggest stage and will be looking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title. That experience and winning mentality should give Argentina a major advantage throughout the group stage.
‘La Albiceleste’ continues to possess one of the most talented and experienced squads in international soccer. With players competing at the highest levels around the world, Argentina has the quality, depth, and leadership needed to handle the pressure that comes with being the defending champions. While the other teams in the group will certainly look to challenge them, Argentina's overall talent and experience may simply be too much to overcome. If they perform to their potential, I expect Argentina to comfortably top Group J and advance to the knockout stage as group winners.
Group K Winner: Portugal
Group K features Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo. On paper, Portugal appears to be the strongest team in the group and should be in a good position to finish atop the standings. While Colombia possesses a talented squad capable of creating challenges and making matches competitive, Portugal's overall quality and depth give them a clear advantage entering the tournament. Uzbekistan and DR Congo will be eager to prove themselves on the world stage, but they face a difficult task against one of Europe's top nations.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding Portugal will be the opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to compete in what is expected to be his final FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese captain will be motivated to chase the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his legendary career. Beyond Ronaldo, Portugal possesses elite talent across the field, with experienced players and emerging stars capable of impacting matches in multiple ways. Their depth, technical ability, and individual quality should allow them to control most games throughout the group stage. While Colombia has the quality to challenge for first place, I expect Portugal's talent and experience to be too much for the rest of the group, allowing them to finish first in Group K and advance comfortably to the knockout stage.
Group L Winner: Croatia
Group L features England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, making it one of the more competitive groups in the tournament. While England enters with high expectations and a talented squad, their inconsistent tournament performances and unusual squad decisions could open the door for other teams to take advantage. Ghana also brings athleticism and energy. Panama will look to compete hard and make life difficult for every opponent, even if they are considered underdogs on paper.
Despite England's talent, I expect Croatia to finish at the top of the group. Croatia has consistently proven that they are a team built for major tournaments, often performing beyond expectations on the biggest stage. Their experience, midfield control, and ability to manage high-pressure matches give them a strong foundation in group-stage competition. Even against a strong England side, Croatia’s composure and big-game mentality could make the difference. If they perform to their usual standard in international tournaments, I expect Croatia to rise above the group and finish first in Group L.
Predicting group winners at the World Cup is never easy, and this expanded 48-team format only adds more uncertainty to an already unpredictable tournament. While teams like Spain, France, Belgium, Argentina, and Portugal stand out as favorites in their respective groups, history has shown that the World Cup always produces unexpected results and breakout performances. However, based on squad depth, experience, current talent levels, and tournament pedigree, these predictions highlight the most likely teams that I believe will top each group. As the tournament kicks off on June 11th, all eyes will be on how these groups unfold and which nations rise to the occasion when it matters most on the world’s biggest stage, as each team will want to advance out of the group stage.
