World Cup Group Stage Update
- Zak Drapeau
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 6/18/2026
Group A
Mexico 3
South Korea 3
Czechia 0
South Africa 0
Game Recaps
After the first round of games, Group A played out how we expected it to with Mexico and South Korea the victors. Mexico is not only the strongest side of the group but has homefield advantage as well and that was clear in the Cup's opening match against South Africa.
South Korea would have a closer, 2-1 victory against Czechia with Hwang In-beom having the best performance of anyone in the group, securing a goal and assist.
Next Games
Mexico vs South Korea, June 18, 9pm EST
Czechia vs South Africa, June 18, 12 pm EST
Predictions
I was actually expecting a bit more from Mexico in their first matchup against South Africa but I think there next game will be better. The game today between them and South Korea is the best match of the group and a likely draw will send both of them to the next stage.
Czechia still has a chance after a good showing against S. Korea. As long as they beat South Africa today, they can have some momentum to at least draw Mexico and finish the stage with 4 points for hopes of making the tournament.
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Group B
Switzerland 1
Canada 1
Qatar 1
Bosnia/Herz. 1
Game Recaps
Group B has been dubbed the worst group of the World Cup and after the first round of games it seems well-deserved. Host country Canada had an incredibly slow start in their first game with Canada but evened the scoring in the 78th minute from their #9 Cyle Larin. Their defense kept this game a draw but will need to show more to make a mark on this group.
Qatar and Switzerland was supposed to be an easy victory for the Swiss and it started off that way with Embolo's 17th minute starter. The game continued at a slow pace with defense taking center stage but the Swiss would come to regret this as their lack of offense set up Qatar to have an awesome 90th minute added time goal to shockingly get a point.
Next Games
Switzerland vs Bosnia/Herz, June 18, 3 pm EST
Qatar vs Canada, June 18, 6 pm EST
Predictions
The Switzerland draw was definitely shocking as they seemed to be the team that would easily run away with the group. I still have them taking one of the spots out of this group but likely in a narrow point lead with Qatar. I see Switzerland beating Bosnia and Qatar beating Canada today and then a decisive matchup between the two deciding the groups future next week.
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Group C
Scotland 3
Morocco 1
Brazil 1
Haiti 0
Game Recaps
The fact that Scotland is leading this group may not be as surprising or important as the fact that Morocco played an amazing game last week to secure a point against Brazil, who was and still is believed to be atop this group by the end.
We saw Vini Jr secure his first goal of this World Cup shortly after Morocco started the scoring, then saw both teams settle down as Morocco arguably out played Brazil to the tune of a draw.
Scotland had the luxury to face Haiti first and didn't waste it, with a 1-0 victory thanks to John McGinn's 28' goal. Their 1-0 win was worth 3 points but was a smaller margin of victory than expected.
Next Games
Scotland v Morocco, June 19, 6 pm EST
Brazil v Haiti, June 19, 8:30 pm EST
Predictions
We saw the two headliners of this group battle to a draw in the first round of matches and I fully expect Brazil and Morocco to win both of their next matches with likely Brazil taking first place thanks to goal differential as I expect their game tomorrow with Haiti to be a blowout.
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Group D
United States 3
Australia 3
Turkiye 0
Paraguay 0
For more insight into Group D's update, check out my United States World Cup Update Article I released Tuesday.
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Group E
Germany 3
Ivory Coast 3
Ecuador 0
Curacao 0
Game Recaps
The award for the biggest blowout in the first week of games goes to Germany for their expected, 7-1 win against Curacao, the lowest rated team in the World Cup. This win was more about a remarkable mismatch of teams more than the brilliance or incompetence of any one player.
Ivory Coast's win against Ecuador by a tune of 1-0 was a spectacular showing for them as well as the most clutch goal so far. After a well-played, 0-0 game reached the 90th minute added time, Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo scored the only goal of the game to lead his nation to a HUGE underdog win against one of the entire World Cups' dark horses.
Next Games
Germany v Ivory Coast, June 20, 4 pm EST
Ecuador v Curacao, June 20, 8 pm EST
Predictions
Ivory Coast beating Ecuador threw a huge wrench into my predictions for this group and I have to believe Ivory Coast will take the 2nd place in this group now with the tiebreaker against Ecuador, with Ecuador possibly not even finishing with enough points to even make the Knockout Stage.
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Group F
Sweden 3
Japan 1
Netherlands 1
Tunisia 0
Game Recaps
The award for most exciting first matchups of any group has to go to Group F. Sweden may have been favored to beat Tunisia but their 5-1 victory was dominant and showed that the Swedes are a prominent team in this World Cup.
Japan and Netherlands was maybe the single biggest nail-biter of the first round. After a methodical 0-0 first half, the teams would trade goals in the first 12 minutes of the second with the Orange then grabbing a 2nd goal in just the 64th minute. The game would continue at a lightning pace until Japanese Midfielder Kamada scored in the 89' minute to end the match with a point.
Next Games
Netherlands v Sweden, June 20, 1 pm EST
Japan v Tunisia, June 21, 12 am EST
Predictions
I had Japan taking the group with 7 points and Netherlands in 2nd with 6 and I stand by that claim. the Dutch versus the Swedes next matchup is where i see a draw but Japan's team game and form right now just strikes me as a complete team ready to go far in the World Cup.
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Group G
Belgium 1
Egypt 1
Iran 1
New Zealand 1
Game Recaps
Belgium's first matchup was with Egypt and it was a good one. A tightly contested battle that saw a dramatic change in momentum as their all time leading goal scorer Romelu Lukaku got subbed in shortly after halftime which resulted in Egypt's own goal only 20 seconds after he was subbed in.
New Zealand was one of my dark horses of the whole thing but would end their first game with a 2-2 draw to Iran that's making me rethink things. New Zealand's top forwards Elijah Just and Chris Wood would score and assist on both goals respectively but their defense will need to be much better moving froward to try and get 3 points.
Next Games
Belgium v Iran, June 21, 3 pm EST
New Zealand v Egypt, June 21, 9 pm EST
Predictions
Belgium was the front runner of this group to most and it seems they should end up atop the group after all. They should beat Iran this weekend and then even a draw with New Zealand should be enough. New Zealand was my pick to win the group but now I think any of these teams could get the silver. The other matchup this week between New Zealand and Egypt will most likely determine that finish if one side is able to pull away with 3 points.
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Group H
Spain 1
Cape Verde 1
Uruguay 1
Saudi Arabia 1
Game Recaps
The biggest upset of the initial round of World Cup games was undoubtedly Cape Verde forcing a 0-0 draw with the favorites to win it all Spain. Man of the match and possibly of the week should go to Cape Verde's Goalkeeper Vozinha with a perfect 7/7 in saves and an all around brilliant defense played. Spain on the other hand needs to shake off the cobwebs and get to work.
Uruguay and Saudi Arabia was also a draw, which was very unexpected and yet overshadowed by the previous draw. As part of another heroic goalkeeping performance by Saudi's Mohammed Al-Owais who saved 9/10 shots. Uruguay missed a perfect opportunity to take a Group lead over Spain but came up just as short as Spain did.
Next Games
Spain v Saudi Arabia, June 21, 12 pm EST
Uruguay v Cape Verde, June 21, 6 pm EST
Predictions
The unexpected draws don't change much in terms of how we see the group resulting but it does make a third place finish for either Saudi Arabia or Cape Verde MUCH more likely. To make matters even more intense, if either Verde or Saudi can shickingly grab another draw against one of the top-2 of this group in their Round 2 game, they could even take the #2 spot of this group as the two bottom teams meet in a pivotol Week 3 match between themselves.
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Group I
Norway 3
France 3
Senegal 0
Iraq 0
Game Recaps\
This group panned out almost exactly as we expetced. France looked phenomenal including their Captani Mbappe scoring a rocket while Senegal still looked hopeful with a goal scored against the former Champions of the world. Norway took care of Iraq in comortable fashion as we expected and even took a 3 goal differential from it which could help them in seeding down the line.
Next Games
France v Iraq, June 22, 5 pm EST
Norway v Senegal, June 22, 8 pm EST
Predictions
France still wins this group and I believe will do so with 9 points, with Norway being the only challenge in Week 3's matchup. Speaking of Norway, their matchup on Sunday with Senegal should be the closest and most thrilling of the entire group. If Senegal can win that match, (which would be an upset but definitely not unpredictable) they would have a great shot at placing 2nd. Even if they don't, I still believe Senegal enters the Knockout stage as one of the 8, 3rd-place qualifying teams.
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Group J
Argentina 3
Austria 3
Jordan 0
Algeria 0
Game Recaps
We just saw Lionel Messi score a World Cup hattrick against lowly Algeria. As a whole the reigning World Cup Champions looked very strong but it's hard to tell against a weaker side like Algeria. Austria would also win comfortably by a score of 3-1 for their first World Cup victory in over 36 years.
Next Games
Argentina v Austria, June 22, 1 pm EST
Algeria v Jordan, June 22, 11 pm EST
Predictions
I said it before and I'll say it again, Argentina is going to secure 9 points in group play and stroll into the 32-team tournament. As for the rest of the group, Austria looked strong but don't count out Algeria. They may have looked bad against Argentina as anyone would but they have a few really good players and are probably my pick for the 2nd place finishers. Their matchup with Austria on the 27th will be for all the marbles.
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Group K
Colombia 3
Portugal 1
DR Congo 1
Uzbekistan 0
Game Recaps
Slightly behind Spain's shocking draw to Cape Verde was Portugal's 1-1 draw to DR Congo just two days ago. Portugal's attack was miserable after their opening, 6' minute goal from Joao Neves and didn't register another shot on goal all game. Contrastingly, Colombia took care of their business with an easy 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
Next Games
Portugal v Uzbekistan, June 23, 1 pm EST
Colombia v DR Congo, June 23, 10 pm EST
Predictions
With Portugal suffering their devastating draw last week, they'll have an uphill battle to take 1st place in Group K but should still easily make 2nd place and get in the tournament. Colombia took an early lead in the Group and should secure their 6th point this week against Congo, meaning the final game of this group on the 27th between the two powerhouses would see Colombia likely take 1st place unless Portugal can beat them by a wide margin.
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Group L
England 3
Ghana 3
Panama 0
Croatia 0
Game Recaps
England and Croatia was an extremely fun game to watch where the slight favorites put away with goals from their 3 biggest stars, Kane, Bellingham and Rashford. Croatia put up a great fight including spectacular midfield play we expected but in the end were beaten by a better side. Ghana finished off Panama deep into the 90th minute added time to take a much-needed 3 points that could easily land them in the Knockout Stage as the 3rd or possibly even 2nd place finishers in this group.
Next Games
England v Ghana, June 23, 4 pm EST
Panama v Croatia, June 23, 10 pm EST
Predictions
With their toughest opponent already out of their way England easily wins this group with either 9 or 7 points depending on this week's matchup with Ghana. Croatia's expected 2nd place finish is up for grabs now that Ghana has 3 points but I still expect them to take over that spot with Ghana likely grabbing one of the very last spots in the Round of 32.
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-Z.D.
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