<p>The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw is done and dusted, and the 48-team field has been carved into 12 groups of four. Some nations walked away from Washington DC counting their blessings. Others? Not so much.</p> <p>Using a combination of FIFA rankings and the good old eye test, here's how each group stacks up from easiest to hardest. Of course, we’ve also included what it means if you're looking at the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">FIFA World Cup betting markets</a>, so you can get a better perspective.</p> <h2>The Easy Path (Groups 10-12)</h2> <h3>12. Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan</h3> <p>Lionel Messi and the defending champions couldn't have asked for much better. Argentina (2nd) are heavy favourites to cruise through, with Austria (24th) the only side with genuine European pedigree.</p> <p>Algeria (35th) bring African Cup pedigree but limited World Cup knockout experience, while Jordan (66th) are tournament newcomers who'll be happy just to be there.</p> <p>From a betting perspective, this is about as close to a gimme as you'll find. Argentina to top the group looks like one of the safer FIFA World Cup 2026 betting plays available right now.</p> <h3>11. Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao</h3> <p>Germany (9th) landed the softest draw of any traditional powerhouse, and that’s why they have been silently celebrating the outcome over the weekend.</p> <p>Ecuador (23rd) are no pushovers. They've qualified for four of the last five World Cups, but the gap in quality is significant. Ivory Coast (42nd) offer African unpredictability, while Curaçao (82nd) made history as <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/curacao-qualifies-fifa-world-cup">the smallest nation by population to ever qualify</a>, but are realistically making up the numbers.</p> <p>Die Mannschaft should stroll through. The question is whether Ecuador can pinch second place.</p> <h3>10. Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand</h3> <p>Belgium's golden generation (8th) is fading, but this draw gives them every chance of a (last?) deep run.</p> <p>Kevin De Bruyne and company face Iran (20th) as their main competition, with Egypt (34th) and Mo Salah the wildcard, and New Zealand (86th) returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.</p> <p>Belgium should advance comfortably, though there's potential for drama if their ageing squad shows cracks early.</p> <h2>Mid-Table Draws (Groups 5-9)</h2> <h3>9. Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde</h3> <p>Spain (1st) are FIFA's top-ranked nation and should dominate, but Uruguay (16th) in second place adds genuine intrigue. La Celeste are battle-hardened World Cup performers who won't make life easy for anyone.</p> <p>Saudi Arabia (60th) showed they can produce shocks (if you think I exaggerate, just remember their 2022 win over Argentina) while Cape Verde (68th) are debutants.</p> <p>Spain and Uruguay feel nailed on for the top two spots, making this group predictable from a betting standpoint despite the quality.</p> <h3>8. Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Playoff D</h3> <p>Co-hosts Mexico (15th) get home advantage and a manageable draw. South Korea (22nd) are seasoned World Cup campaigners with Son Heung-min leading the charge, while South Africa (61st) return to the tournament for the first time since hosting in 2010.</p> <p>The UEFA playoff spot could go to Denmark, Czechia, Republic of Ireland, or North Macedonia, which are all mid-tier European sides. Mexico should top the group, with Korea the likely second qualifier. Unless Denmark manage to qualify and complicate their US adventure.</p> <h3>7. Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C</h3> <p>This is where Australia landed, and the Socceroos won't be complaining. As we’ve said in our analysis of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D, co-hosts USA (14th) have the firepower and home support to dominate, but Paraguay (39th) and Australia (26th) are both capable of causing problems.</p> <p>The wildcard is UEFA Playoff C: Türkiye (25th), Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo. If Türkiye comes through, they immediately become the second-best team in the group on rankings alone.</p> <p>Australia's realistic goal is advancement: whether that's second place or as one of the best third-placed sides depends largely on who emerges from that playoff.</p> <h3>6. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B</h3> <p>Netherlands (7th) are one of the tournament favourites and should control this group comfortably. Japan (18th) have evolved into a genuine threat because their 2022 victories over Germany and Spain weren't flukes.</p> <p>Tunisia (40th) are organised and tough to break down, while UEFA Playoff B features Ukraine, Poland, Albania, and Sweden. Any of those would add a second quality European side to an already competitive group.</p> <h3>5. Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Playoff 1</h3> <p>Portugal (6th) versus Colombia (13th) is a genuine blockbuster opening match. Cristiano Ronaldo's likely final World Cup collides with Luis Díaz's Colombian pace, and one of these sides will immediately be under pressure.</p> <p>Uzbekistan (50th) are Asian qualifiers who won't threaten the top two, while the intercontinental playoff pits DR Congo, Jamaica, and New Caledonia for the final spot. Portugal and Colombia should both advance, but expect a tense fight for top spot.</p> <h2>Tough Assignments (Groups 2-4)</h2> <h3>4. Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Intercontinental Playoff 2</h3> <p>France (3rd) face a fascinating opener against Senegal. Ironically enough, it’s the same fixture that produced a famous 1-0 upset in 2002 when the African side stunned defending champions Les Bleus.</p> <p>Norway (29th) bring Erling Haaland, which alone makes them dangerous. The intercontinental playoff features Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname. France should advance, but there's genuine potential for drama in who joins them.</p> <h3>3. Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff A</h3> <p>On paper, this looks straightforward for Canada (2th) as co-hosts. Switzerland (17th) are consistent performers who reach knockout rounds with regularity, and Qatar (51st) disappointed as 2022 hosts.</p> <p>UEFA Playoff A includes Italy (12th). If the Azzurri navigate their path&nbsp; (facing Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, or Northern Ireland) this group transforms entirely. Italy in pot four is a genuine anomaly, and any side drawn alongside them faces a significantly harder task than the seeding suggests.</p> <h3>2. Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti</h3> <p>This is where things get spicy. Brazil (5th) and Morocco (11th) reunite from their 1998 group. The last time Scotland (36th) qualified for a World Cup before dramatically ending their 28-year drought this year.</p> <p>Morocco reached the 2022 semi-finals and are no longer underdogs against anyone. Brazil have their own issues, especially in terms of inconsistent form and a squad in transition. Although, let’s face it: winning the World Cup would be a fair and natural conclusion of Carletto Ancelotti’s career as a manager.</p> <p>Scotland's physical approach and Haiti (84th) making up the numbers means this group delivers genuine intrigue about who finishes top.</p> <h2>The Group of Death</h2> <h3>1. Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana</h3> <p>The Three Lions (4th) versus Croatia (10th) is a rematch of the 2018 semi-final that broke English hearts in Moscow. Luka Modrić will be 40 by tournament time, but Croatia's midfield mastery has defied age repeatedly. Just look at how he is imposing his class in <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/italy/italian-serie-a">Italy’s Serie A</a> this year.</p> <p>Panama (30th) and Ghana (72nd) are both capable of causing problems on their day. England start as favourites, but this is comfortably the most perilous group for any top seed. Croatia could easily top it, and neither England nor Croatia can afford a slip against the lower-ranked sides.</p> <p>From a FIFA World Cup betting perspective, this group offers the most value for upset hunters.</p> <h2>Betting Takeaways</h2> <p>The expanded format, with the top two from each group advancing plus the eight best third-placed teams, means qualification margins are wider than ever. That said, a few themes emerge:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Expected group winner bets</strong>: Argentina (Group J), Germany (Group E), Spain (Group H)</li> <li><strong>Value in group winners</strong>: USA (Group D) with home advantage, France (Group I) despite the tricky draw</li> <li><strong>Upset potential</strong>: Group C (Brazil/Morocco), Group L (England/Croatia), Group B if Italy qualifies</li> <li><strong>Australia's outlook</strong>: Group D is manageable. The Socceroos' path to advancement is clearer than any World Cup since 2006.</li> </ul>