It's finally here! The 2026 World Cup kicks off this afternoon, with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa to open the biggest event in sports, and the United States beginning their tournament tomorrow night.
Here at SixOneFive Soccer, we've dived deep to preview all 12 groups at the World Cup, including predicted starting lineups for all 48 teams. You can check out those – as well as continued coverage during the tournament – here:
Christina Moore
Today is also the final day to sign up for our World Cup bracket challenge! Compete with other SixOneFive readers to predict the results of the tournament, and check back with our live bracket app during the tournament to see how the World Cup plays out.
Today, we're previewing the full tournament. Our staff made their picks for winners, surprise teams, and major awards. Let's enjoy the soccer!
Which teams will stand out?
Who will make it to the semifinals?
Ben Wright: Germany, France, Spain, Portugal
Valair Shabilla: Germany, France, Spain, Argentina
Chris Ivey: Spain, France, Japan, Portugal
Ronan Briscoe: Spain, France, Portugal, Argentina
Jeff Remlinger: Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina
Christina Moore: Spain, France, England, Portugal
Colby Hitchcock: Spain, France, England, Portugal
Who will win the tournament?
Ben: Portugal
Valair: Spain
Chris: France
Ronan: Spain
Jeff: Brazil – European teams struggle in World Cups hosted in North and South America. That trend will continue.
Christina: Portugal
Colby: Spain
Who's your dark horse pick?
Ben: Morocco – I don't know if you can call them a dark horse after their run to the 2022 semifinals, but they're a fantastic team. If we're saying they don't count, then I'll go with Senegal as my backup.
Valair: Austria
Chris: Japan
Ronan: Norway or Japan – either could make deeper runs than people think and it wouldn't shock me too much.
Jeff: Ecuador – they had two starting defenders from the UEFA Champions League Final. They're going to be nasty to play against.
Christina: Norway
Colby: Ivory Coast
Who will score the most goals at the tournament?
Ben: Germany. I think they'll be a scoring machine until the semifinals.
Valair: France.
Chris: France.
Ronan: Portugal.
Jeff: Spain are going to make Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia wish they hadn't qualified.
Christina: France.
Colby: Spain.
Make your picks for the 2026 World Cup with our official bracket challenge!
Who will concede the fewest goals?
Ben: Switzerland.
Valair: Spain.
Chris: Australia (it will be tough, but they'll also get knocked out having only conceded two or three goals).
Ronan: Spain.
Jeff: Brazil.
Christina: Spain.
Colby: Spain.
The World Cup is coming to the United States this summer, and more people than ever are curious about soccer in this country!
If you know someone who might be interested, consider sending them a gift subscription to SixOneFive Soccer, where we'll be covering the USMNT and the tournament at large. They might even get hooked and stick around for the MLS season!
Players we're watching
Who wins the Golden Boot (top scorer)?
Ben: Everyone is saying Harry Kane (England), and I agree. I'm also a contrarian. Deniz Undav (Germany).
Valair: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Chris: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Ronan: Harry Kane (England)
Jeff: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Christina: Harry Kane (England)
Colby: Harry Kane (England)
Who wins the Golden Ball (best player)?
Ben: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Valair: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Chris: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Ronan: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Jeff: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Christina: Jude Bellingham (England)
Colby: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Who wins the Golden Glove (best goalkeeper)?
Ben: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Valair: Unai Simón (Spain)
Chris: Diogo Costa (Portugal)
Ronan: Mike Maignan (France)
Jeff: David Raya (Spain) if he starts, otherwise Mike Maignan (France).
Christina: Unai Simón (Spain)
Colby: David Raya (Spain)
Who will be the best young player?
Ben: Warren Zäire-Emery (France). But Gilberto Mora (Mexico) will be fantastic.
Valair: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Chris Ivey: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Ronan: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Jeff: Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Christina: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Colby: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Vibes and other stuff
Which team will steal neutrals' hearts?
Ben: Paraguay.
Valair: Spain.
Chris: Japan - Samurai Blue play a beautiful brand of soccer that will give teams fits.
Ronan: Spain.
Jeff: Japan.
Christina: Colombia.
Colby: South Africa or Senegal.
What will the most intriguing group be?
Ben: Group C. Brazil and Morocco should be two of the best teams at the tournament, and I think Scotland will surprise people.
Valair: Group I – and no, not just because Iraq is in it.
Chris: Group I. Three teams that legitimately can make a deep run in this tourney.
Ronan: Group B. The talent gap is small enough that all four (Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia, and Qatar) have legit shots to advance out of the group
Jeff: It's Group I: the official Group of Death. And Iraq isn't just a goal differential boost. If they steal a point, they'll end someone's World Cup journey.
Christina: Group I.
Colby: Group D: I feel it's the biggest toss-up. Anyone could get grouped in this group, and anyone can win the group.
Who are you most excited to watch (besides the US or Iraq)?
Ben: I've made a grave mistake and pysched myself into believing that Scotland could be good. I also think Portugal's midfield will be borderline unplayable.
Valair: Brazil.
Chris: Mexico. Their matches will be an incredible atmosphere.
Ronan: The first country I ever enjoyed watching and playing as on video games that wasn't the USA was the Ivory Coast because of Didier Drogba. I will be renewing my half-hearted Ivorian soft spot.
Jeff: All of CONMEBOL. Their fans will show up, they're used to the heat, and they're extremely talented.
Christina: Portugal.
Colby: England.
What group stage match are you most excited for?
Ben: I have a list of like 20 games... USA's opener against Paraguay, for sure. But Brazil versus Morocco will be two of the best teams at the tournament playing on the third day!
Valair: Honestly, the opener between Mexico and South Africa. Not even for on-pitch stuff, the fact that it's a repeat of 2010 and all the other narratives around it are must-watch.
Chris: USA vs Australia, as I will be in the building for it!
Ronan: Scotland vs Haiti. It's a great narrative game for both teams – both of their first world cups back after a long wait, plus getting to see and hear the Scottish fans will be incredible.
Jeff: Uruguay and Spain both have very easy groups and play each other on the final day. It could decide the winner of the group.
Christina: Netherlands vs Japan will be electric!
Colby: France v Norway. Erling Haaland versus Kylian Mbappé on the biggest of stages will be exciting to see.
