World Cup group winner tips: Every group predicted

The World Cup begins on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico entertain South Africa, kicking off the global football carnival.

It’s the biggest ever World Cup, with 48 nations competing in 12 groups of four for places in the first knockout round. Winning the group should create the best pathway for those with aims of hoisting the trophy at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19.

We’ve picked out group winner predictions for all 12 World Cup groups.

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World Cup group winner tips

Group A: Mexico @ 4/5

Mexico have a real chance to shine on home soil and their ability to handle the conditions should be key. Head coach Javier Aguirre has a solid defensive platform, while Armando Gonzalez and teenager Gilberto Mora are rising stars.

Group B: Switzerland @ 8/11

The tournament pedigree of Switzerland bodes well as they face co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina – three nations with just a single World Cup match win between them. Granit Xhaka’s midfield class and the goalscoring potential of Breel Embolo make the Swiss a standout.

Group C: Brazil @ 1/4

Carlo Ancelotti is a proven winner and the man tasked with ending Brazil’s 24-year World Cup famine – the longest Samba streak without a trophy lift. They are major contenders with a blend of attacking talent and a strong defensive core and they should make light of Morocco, Haiti and Scotland – back on this stage after 28 years.

Group D: Turkey @ 7/4

Hosts the USA are installed as favourites but Mauricio Pochettino’s side won’t have it easy. Turkey look good under Vincenzo Montella and have star potential in Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. They can upset the Stars and Stripes.

Group E: Germany @ 1/3

Ecuador were impressive in South American qualifying but their superb defensive record is negated in some form by a lack of goals and that should allow Germany to dominate Group E.

Group F: Netherlands @ 4/6

Dutch boss Ronald Koeman has been told a semi-final appearance is the expected minimum. He has a strong Oranje squad to work with, albeit they lack a world class goalscorer, and they should take care of business alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.

Group G: Belgium @ 4/11

The Belgian ‘golden generation’ has largely come and gone without the success many had forecast. The Red Devils still count on playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and if he can outperform Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, this looks Belgium’s group to win.

Group H: Spain @ 1/5

The reigning European champions and, for many, the likeliest World Cup winners this summer, Spain have to be careful of Uruguay but Luis de la Fuente’s side have little else to worry about as they look to settle into the tournament.

Group I: Norway @ 5/2

There’s always a big-name casualty. France have history with Senegal at the World Cup and Didier Deschamps’ farewell to Les Bleus could come under pressure early. With the lethal presence of Erling Haaland and a good supporting cast, Norway could upset the apple cart after averaging five goals per game in qualifying.

Group J: Argentina @ 1/3

Lionel Messi cemented his GOAT-status four years ago in Qatar with a World Cup winners’ medal. Another one may prove beyond him but Argentina retain stability under Lionel Scaloni and can negotiate past Austria, Algeria and Jordan.

Group K: Portugal @ 4/9

The presence of Colombia could pose a question but the South Americans are sometimes found wanting for consistency and so reigning Nations League champions Portugal should top this section.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s game-time surely must be managed but with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and more to supplement the iconic goalscorer, Roberto Martinez’s side should emerge on top.

Group L: England @ 2/7

Questions abound over Thomas Tuchel’s best XI but this England side have been exceptionally tight defensively, coming through eight qualifiers without conceding a goal.

Group L looks a good spot for the Three Lions, especially with Croatia’s squad now leaning towards being over the hill, rather than merely experienced.

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