There is no bigger stage than the 2026 World Cup. Forty-eight countries have descended on the United States, Canada, and Mexico for a chance to claim soccer’s greatest honor. The teams have been divided into 12 groups. Each group winner and second-place finisher is guaranteed a spot in the knockout round, with the eight best third place teams also assuring themselves a spot in the elimination phase.
BetMGM has released its latest betting data for group play. We’re breaking down every division to see where the betting value lies.
Group A
Teams: Mexico, Czech Republic, Korea Republic, South Africa
Mexico opened as plus-money favorites to triumph in Group A, but a flood of betting action has forced the price higher. El Tri is now priced as -130 chalk on the strength of 63.1% of the tickets and 76.0% of the handle. The Czech Republic and Korea Republic are tied at +333 to finish second place. But with 19.1% of the handle on Korea versus just 4.2% of the handle on Czechia to finish second, smart money is on the Asian country to advance.
Predicted Winner: Mexico
Group B
Teams: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada and Switzerland are the clear frontrunners in Group B. Still, money is flowing overwhelmingly in Switzerland’s favor. They are installed as -140 chalk now, backed by 36.5% of the tickets and 75.0% of the handle. Canada’s price has also shrunk from +250 to +200, but second-place might be the best the hosts can hope for.
Predicted Winner: Switzerland
Group C
Teams: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Morocco might be the only team that could contend with Brazil in Group C; however, the betting odds are shifted in the South Americans’ favor. Brazil is priced at -450, a substantive shift from their -250 opening price. Haiti and Scotland will fight for third-place but neither has a legitimate shot at a knockout round berth.
Predicted Winner: Brazil
Group D
Teams: USA, Turkey, Paraguay, Australia
Despite receiving 85.4% of the tickets and 90.5% of the handle, Team USA faces a steep climb in Group D. They have moved from +100 as the group winner to +138, implying that BetMGM is wary of Turkey and Paraguay’s chances of upending the Americans. We think the South Americans have a might effort in store.
Predicted Winner: Paraguay
Group E
Teams: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
At first glance, Germany appears ready to run roughshod over Group E, but several big money bettors have taken a stance on Ecuador and the Ivory coast. Ecuador’s 38.1% ticket count rivals Germany’s 39.8%, while the Ivory Coast’s 24.5% handle vastly exceeds its 14.2% ticket count. This one will be closer than expected but the Germans still prevail.
Predicted Winner: Germany
Group F
Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
The Netherlands are holding steady as -140 chalk in Group F, but Japan’s betting handle is virtually identical. As it stands, the Dutch are commanding 49.9% of the handle and 51.5% of the tickets. Similarly, Japan has earned a 47.5% handle share on just 41.4% of the tickets. We’re predicting a massive upset, with the Japanese earning the edge on goal differential.
Predicted Winner: Japan
Group G
Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
As is the case in most divisions, Group G will be decided by the head-to-head match between Belgium and Egypt. Belgium are decided -285 favorites, while Egypt has become the public darling. Belgium’s tactical advantage is too much for Egypt to handle, but the African nation should have no problems advancing to the knockout round.
Predicted Winner: Belgium
Group H
Teams: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Unlike most of divisions, Group H will be handily won by Spain. Uruguay should have no problem out-pacing Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, but they are still a few leagues behind their Spanish counterparts.
Predicted Winner: Spain
Group I
Teams: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
France enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the top contenders, and their presumed dominance is captured in the Group I betting odds. Les Bleus are -250 favorites in group play, still earning 63.0% of the handle. Norway is the clear favorite to finish second, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the Norwegians are left battling for one of the eight third-place berths.
Predicted Winner: France
Group J
Teams: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Argentina will be ready to defend its crown at the 2026 World Cup, and their path to the knockout round appears nothing more than a formality. Still, this is a team that has vastly underachieved on the world stage in previous years, and we think they face a stiff challenge in group play. Austria pulls off a stunner.
Predicted Winner: Austria
Group K
Teams: Portugal, Columbia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Portugal is priced as the odds-on favorite in Group K, but like Argentina, the Portuguese have failed to deliver early in tournaments. While they are priced as -250 chalk, we like Columbia’s chances of staying within striking distance and advancing on goal differential.
Predicted Winner: Columbia
Group L
Teams: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England is another country that is hoping to shed its underachieving identity. We don’t like their chances of doing that in Group L. Croatia is an underappreciated powerhouse, and could upend the English in group play. Ghana has a shot at a third-place finish, provided they can tie England and put up a number versus Panama.
Predicted Winner: Croatia
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