Yahoo Sports analyst projects Czechia and Ecuador as group stage upsets in 2026 World Cup
The Yahoo Sports analyst has released a comprehensive breakdown of the 12 groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, identifying several unexpected outcomes for the host nations and established favourites.
Yahoo Sports analyst Paul Carr has published detailed predictions for the winners and runners-up of all 12 groups in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, challenging the conventional hierarchy of international football. With the tournament set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Carr’s analysis suggests that the expanded 48-team format and the seeding of host nations have created more balanced groups, offering opportunities for upsets against traditional powerhouses.
Carr identifies Czechia as the likely winners of Group A, finishing ahead of host nation Mexico. He notes that Mexico’s injury list opens the group for South Korea or Czechia, tipping the latter due to the experience of striker Patrik Schick. In Group B, Switzerland is predicted to top the table ahead of hosts Canada, with Carr citing the Swiss squad’s consistency in reaching knockout stages in recent tournaments. Group C sees Morocco predicted to defeat Brazil, with Carr pointing to Brazil’s aging midfield and tactical uncertainties under head coach Carlo Ancelotti as key factors.
The United States is tipped to win Group D ahead of Türkiye, a prediction Carr describes as a choice between head and heart. He argues that despite a difficult season for Americans playing abroad, the presence of Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Weah provides a balanced squad capable of winning the group. Meanwhile, Ecuador is predicted to upset Germany in Group E, with Carr highlighting Ecuador’s stout defensive record in qualifiers as the basis for this upset.
In the remaining groups, Carr predicts Switzerland will finish second in Group B, Morocco second in Group C, and Türkiye second in Group D. Ecuador is predicted to finish second in Group E, while the Netherlands is tipped to top Group F ahead of Japan. Belgium is predicted to win Group G, with Iran finishing second. Spain is selected to win Group H ahead of Uruguay, and France is predicted to win Group I with Senegal as runners-up.
Carr’s final predictions see Argentina win Group J ahead of Austria, and Colombia upset Portugal in Group K to finish top. England is predicted to win Group L ahead of Panama. Carr notes that while betting markets currently list Spain as the tournament favourite, his analysis suggests that the complex permutations of the new format, including third-place teams advancing, require a more nuanced approach than simply backing the highest-ranked teams.
