Every group, read.

Co-hosts Mexico open against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, echoing the 2010 opener. South Korea bring World Cup pedigree and a fierce press. Czechia end a 20-year absence through the UEFA play-offs: organised and well drilled, and fond of grinding out 1-0s. Bafana are the lowest-ranked side but the best-organised South African team in years under Hugo Broos.

Canada have home advantage, though how much Alphonso Davies can contribute depends on his fitness. Switzerland are the classic tournament side: disciplined, unspectacular and hard to beat. Qatar return after hosting in 2022, and Bosnia and Herzegovina end a 12-year wait through the UEFA play-offs, gifted but inconsistent in qualifying.

Brazil start as the heaviest group favourites at most bookmakers. Morocco's 2022 semi-final run was no fluke, and Walid Regragui has kept much of the same core. Scotland return to the World Cup after 28 years and will be the underdog story for British neutrals. Haiti are at their first World Cup since 1974: it's an emotional moment for them, but they are heavily outgunned.

Co-hosts USA have a kind draw against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye, with all three matches on the West Coast. Türkiye return after 24 years with a gifted attack (Kenan Yıldız, Arda Güler) but questions in defence. Paraguay grind, and Australia usually punch above their weight, although this squad is at an awkward point in its cycle.

Four-time champions Germany face Curaçao in the island's first World Cup match, already one of the tournament's best underdog stories. Côte d'Ivoire, the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations winners, and a young, organised Ecuador complete the group. It is Germany's group to lose, but second place is open.

Netherlands face long-time foe Japan in what now resembles a recurring tournament rivalry. Tunisia is the African dark horse with continental experience. Sweden returns as a UEFA playoff winner. The group's structure means any of three teams below the Dutch can plausibly take second.

Belgium's ageing stars, including Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, get one more shot before the squad turns over. Egypt bring Mohamed Salah, if he is fully fit. Iran are tough tournament opponents and qualified convincingly, and New Zealand took Oceania's first guaranteed World Cup place.

European champions Spain face two-time world champions Uruguay in what looks like the group of the tournament. Saudi Arabia, remembered for beating Argentina in 2022, won't be making up the numbers. Cabo Verde make their World Cup debut as one of the smallest nations ever to qualify.

Defending finalists France start their campaign against Senegal in an African showdown loaded with Premier League and Ligue 1 talent on both sides. Norway returns to the global stage built around Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Iraq qualified as intercontinental playoff winner, ending an 40-year absence since their only previous appearance.

Argentina's title defence begins against Algeria, a tricky group rather than an easy one. Austria have been one of Europe's quiet over-achievers in qualifying, with Marko Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer and David Alaba. Jordan are at their first World Cup after coming through Asian qualifying. Messi's probable last World Cup adds an emotional edge.

Cristiano Ronaldo's likely final World Cup. Portugal faces a tricky Colombia side (James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Daniel Muñoz) plus the technical disruption of Uzbekistan in their tournament debut. DR Congo ends a 52-year absence as intercontinental playoff winner. This is the group with the most realistic upset potential against a top-eight ranked side.

England are drawn with Croatia, a rematch of the 2018 semi-final. Ghana bring a new generation of players from the top European leagues, and Panama are back after missing 2022. With Southgate gone and Tuchel in charge, the transition is still under way: the upside is real, and so is the risk.