Every group, read.

Co-host Mexico opens against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca — a direct echo of the 2010 tournament opener. South Korea brings World Cup pedigree and a hostile press. Czech Republic ends a 20-year absence as a UEFA playoff winner: organised, structured, prone to grinding 1-0s. Bafana is the lowest-ranked team but the most well-organised SA side in years under Hugo Broos.

Canada gets home advantage but the squad lacks Davies' usual influence depending on fitness. Switzerland is the textbook tournament side — disciplined, unspectacular, hard to beat. Qatar returns after their host appearance in 2022. Bosnia & Herzegovina ends a 12-year wait via the UEFA playoff, technically gifted but inconsistent in qualifying form.

Brazil starts as the heaviest group favourite at most operators. Morocco's 2022 semi-final run was not a fluke and Walid Regragui keeps the same core. Scotland returns to the global stage after a 28-year absence and will be the underdog story for British neutrals. Haiti makes their first World Cup appearance since 1974 — emotional but heavily outgunned.

Co-host USA on a generous draw against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye — all three matches on the West Coast. Türkiye ends 24 years away with a gifted attacking unit (Kenan Yıldız, Arda Güler) but defensive question marks. Paraguay grinds. Australia tends to over-perform but the squad cycle is at the wrong point.

Four-time champions Germany face Curaçao in what will be the Caribbean island's first-ever World Cup match — already among the tournament's best underdog stories. Côte d'Ivoire arrives as reigning AFCON champions; Ecuador brings a youthful, organised setup. This is Germany's group to lose but also one where second place is genuinely up for grabs.

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 golden generation — De Bruyne, Hazard's heirs, Courtois — gets one more shot before the squad turns over. Egypt brings Mohamed Salah if fully fit. Iran's tournament steel is well-documented; their qualifying form was clinical. New Zealand secured Oceania's first-ever guaranteed World Cup spot.

European champions Spain face two-time world champions Uruguay in what looks like the group of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will not be playing for tourists after their famous 2022 win against Argentina. Cabo Verde makes their World Cup debut — the smallest nation by population to ever 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 tactical group rather than an easy one. Austria has been Europe's quiet over-performer through qualifying (Marko Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba). Jordan plays at their first-ever World Cup after winning their Asian playoff path. Messi's likely final tournament adds the obvious emotional pressure.

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 drawn with familiar foe Croatia in a 2018 semi-final rematch. Ghana brings the next generation of African Premier League talent. Panama returns hungry after missing 2022. Southgate gone, Tuchel installed, the squad transition still incomplete — the upside is real, the downside is also real.