Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Ewan Ross-Murray

Seven Predictions for the 2026 World Cup Group Stage

The 2026 World Cup group stage will truly be like no other following FIFA’s expansion of their flagship tournament.

For the first time ever, 48 nations will compete in the 12-group opening round, with 72 matches staged across an 17-day period. The schedule is relentless.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.