Instead of being the World Cup that most football fans would have targeted after Russia and Qatar hosted the last two Finals, this has been a summer tournament that has done its best to put fans off from travelling.
Pricing in the way that FIFA put together was seriously flawed- there is a big interest in football/soccer in North America where the games are being hosted, but it is those travelling into the countries that are hosting that really create the party atmosphere.
After spending a few days in New York City, it is clear that the NBA Finals is the big interest... That alone is not a surprise with the Knicks chasing a first Championship in fifty-three years, but the lack of coverage of a World Cup tournament that is beginning on Thursday was a real surprise.
Perhaps things will change in the United States, but locals seem to be disinterested with the politics around the event clouding all.
Things should be plenty different in Mexico where two previous Finals have been hosted and that is where the tournament will begin on Thursday before Canada and then the United States get to open up.
Fans of some of the stronger looking nations will have to wait a couple of days until they get going, but this may be an event that becomes largely forgettable if the heat and the likely delays caused by thunderstorms make it more of a marathon for supporters to get through.
Tournament Football brings its own drama though and over the next month the plan is to make a few selections from the 2026 World Cup Finals and hopefully return a positive number.
The threads will be split up for ease of navigating for readers- that should mean separate threads for each of the three Match Days of the Group Stage before further threads for the Last 32, Last 16, Quarter Final, Semi Final and then the showpiece Final that takes place in July.
Over the days, selections will be added to the threads and the tournament numbers will be updated after each day.
World Cup 2026- Match Day 1 Group Stage Picks
Thursday 11th June
Mexico vs South Africa Pick: These two nations opened up the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa and had to settle for a 1-1 draw, but this time it is Mexico who have the honour to open up the 2026 Finals co-hosted by three nations.
There is a huge amount of pressure on this Mexico team who will be well aware that the last two times they have hosted the World Cup Finals have ended in Quarter Final defeats. Between 1994 and 2018, Mexico competed at every tournament and all ended in defeat in the first Knock Out Rounds, but 2022 was a big disappointment as Mexico finished behind Argentina and Poland and were eliminated in the Group Stage.
Winning Group A will mean not having to leave the host nation until the latter stages of the competition and would also mean having a few more days of rest before the Last 32 tie and Mexico are favourites to do that.
They are unbeaten in 8 games and have won 6 of those and hosting should be a big advantage.
South Africa return for a World Cup Finals via the Qualifiers for the first time in over twenty years and there is a bit of inexperience around this squad that suggests the Group Stage is about as far as they can go.
Edging out Nigeria to earn a spot in North America deserves plenty of credit, but South Africa lost 2 of 4 games played at the African Cup of Nations and the recent form in friendly matches is not going to be inspiring a lot of confidence.
Opening fixtures in recent World Cup tournaments have featured plenty of goals and Mexico may have enough to secure a victory in a fixture providing at least two in their own favour. The conditions look like they will be decent enough for the players and Mexico can begin this 2026 World Cup Finals with a solid victory against what looks to be the weakest team in Group A.
South Korea vs Czechia Pick: The mathematicians suggest three points could be enough to earn a spot in the Last 32 of the World Cup as long as you have a neutral goal difference.
Four points will almost certainly be enough and that should mean South Korea and Czechia play with some trepidation believing they could earn the win against South Africa to move through.
With that said, both teams will be looking for a positive start, but a draw could be considered that and so a low-scoring contest is expected.
Czechia came through a couple of World Cup Play Off matches on Penalties in March, but they are usually a pretty compact team and that will make them dangerous. They will not want to give much away, but can be a threat from set pieces, while this South Korea team is not of vintage stock.
Coming through a weak Qualifying Group ahead of Jordan and Iraq suggests South Korea could be undercooked, while the friendly performances have been erratic since booking a spot in the Finals.
Whoever can best impose their style on the other will win- South Korea are likely to be a bit more fluent in the attacking area, but Czechia are a big, strong team that will exploit set pieces.
The draw looks a real runner, but the edge here may slightly fall in favour of the European underdogs when all is said and done and the first goal will likely be crucial to the final outcome.
Friday 12th June
Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Pick: Two previous appearances in World Cup Finals have resulted in six games played and six games lost, including four years ago in Qatar when expectations were perhaps greater than they should have been.
However, in 2026, Canada are one of the co-hosts and they should be able pick up their first World Cup points during this Group considering the opposition that they have been placed with.
That is not to say they deserve to be short favourites to win any game, even if Canada are at home.
Over the last several months, Canada have won just 3 of 9 matches played and only one of those has been against a team that will be competing at the 2026 World Cup Finals. Quarter Final defeats at the last two Gold Cups and a Semi Final defeat in the last Nations League suggests Canada still have room for improvement, even with a squad that has some talent littered amongst it.
The home fans will give Canada a push, but they look short to beat a Bosnia-Herzegovina team that are plenty experienced and one that beat Wales and Italy on Penalties to earn a spot at the World Cup Finals.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have missed out on major tournaments since Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil where they were beaten in the Group Stage, although after picking up a single win. They will approach this opening fixture feeling like any positive result would give them a very good chance of progressing with a fixture against Qatar to round out the section, while Bosnia-Herzegovina are resilient at the back and that will be important throughout the Group Stage.
A couple of lacklustre performances in friendly games over the last few weeks will be a concern, but Bosnia-Herzegovina certainly look capable of avoiding a defeat against a host who are carrying bigger expectations.
USA vs Paraguay Pick: Back in 1994, the United States hosted the World Cup with the belief it could start an explosion of interest in the sport.
Competing against the MLB, NBA and NFL established sports has proven too difficult, although there is a bigger football fanbase in 2026 compared with 1994.
The United States made it out of the Group Stage in 1994, but 1990 and 1998 ended in early exits- it was in 2002 when the USA reached the Quarter Final that it felt like a real progress had been made, but they missed out entirely in 2018.
Three of the last four World Cup appearances have ended with Second Round defeats, but the United States are under a different kind of pressure in 2026 and they have been placed in what could be an awkward section if unable to make a positive start.
Mauricio Pochettino will know that this opening fixture is going to be a difficult one against a Paraguay team that Qualified thanks to a resilient defensive formation.
Paraguay are back in the World Cup since reaching the Quarter Final in 2010, but a Group Stage exit in the Copa America hosted by the United States in 2024 will have been a big disappointment. They were the last of the South American teams to earn a direct spot in the World Cup Finals and the lack of threat in the final third could end up proving to be too difficult to overcome.
3 wins in the last 4 friendly games will give Paraguay confidence, but the likelihood is that they will sit back and try and frustrate the host before countering. That makes them dangerous, but the United States should be able to use the home crowd to push them forward and edge to an important three points to just give the nation a lift around these World Cup Finals.
Saturday 13th June
Qatar vs Switzerland Pick: A little under four years ago, Qatar hosted the World Cup and there were some genuine thoughts that the nation could compete and avoid joining South Africa as a host failing to make it out of the Group Stage.
Instead it was a really difficult experience for Qatar who lost all three games and looked way below the quality that would be needed at this level.
Credit has to be given to Qatar for making it back to the World Cup Finals, but they are once again expected to struggle.
Qatar finished way below Iran and Uzbekistan in the Third Round of Qualifiers, but edged out the UAE in the Fourth Round, and this is a team that looks like it may struggle for goals.
Opening up against Switzerland is going to be challenging with this squad looking like it has the potential to produce the best performance at a World Cup Finals since hosting in 1954 which ended in a Quarter Final defeat. More recent times has seen Switzerland beaten in three consecutive Second Round ties, but Switzerland reached the last eight in each of the last two runnings of the European Championship.
Switzerland have only won 1 of the last 5 games in all competitions, but this is a team that does not concede a lot of goals and they can open up with a victory behind another solid defensive performance.
Brazil vs Morocco Pick: The decision to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as the national manager will have been controversial and Brazil's Football Association will only be able to justify it if the team can win the World Cup for the first time in twenty-four years.
Despite the history of this national team, Brazil have only reached the Semi Final once since last lifting the World Cup in 2002 and that was when hosting the tournament in 2014, although one that will only be remembered for the manner of their Semi Final capitulation against Germany.
Quarter Final defeats in 2018 and 2022 will have stung, while Brazil were beaten in the Quarter Final at the last Copa America hosted in the United States in 2024.
Brazil finished 10 points behind Argentina in Qualifying and this is a squad that has some strengths, but may struggle to retain the ball in what are going to be testing conditions.
Making a fast start will be important to just build up some confidence and momentum and Brazil have won the last 3 friendly games against nations that will be competing here this summer.
However, first up in this Group Stage is a match against Morocco, who became the first African team to reach the World Cup Semi Final in 2022.
A quality team won the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, although Morocco were awarded the title when Senegal were controversially adjudged to have forfeited days after the Final had been completed. Despite that, Morocco will be happy with what they produced in a tournament hosted in their own nation, while they also made short work of Qualifying.
Morocco are enjoying a long unbeaten run, which deserves respect, and they have plenty of experience which should see them progress to the Knock Out Rounds again.
They will certainly test Brazil, but the expectation is that the South American giants will find a way with the attacking quality to come through what may be the most competitive fixture to date.
Haiti vs Scotland Pick: Steve Clarke has guided Scotland back to the World Cup Finals for the first time in almost thirty years, but this is a nation that has yet to find a way through the Group Stages of any major international tournament.
Two years ago, Scotland finished bottom of the Euro 2024 Group containing Hungary, Germany and Switzerland and they failed to earn a win, but the extra places on offer at this World Cup to find a way into the Knock Out Rounds gives the Scots a real opportunity.
There will be pressure though- failing to win this opener would mean having to likely beat one of the top two teams in the Group and so Scotland have to come out with intensity, even if Scott McTominay is not fit to begin.
Two very good international friendly wins will give them confidence and Scotland do benefit from opening the tournament against one of the weaker teams involved.
Haiti crushed New Zealand 4-0 in the build up to the Finals starting, but a 2-1 loss to Peru and a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia since Qualifying suggests just being here is a big achievement.
Having nothing to lose could make Haiti dangerous, especially for a Scotland team who will know the importance of winning this fixture. Some players have decided they are willing to represent Haiti in the World Cup Finals who have enough experience and quality to hurt Scotland, but the latter may do just enough to edge this one in what is going to be late night viewing for those tuning in back home.
Australia vs Turkiye Pick: The last time Turkiye Qualified for the World Cup Finals became a memorable time for supporters of the national team as they reached the Semi Final in Japan/South Korea in 2002.
A Quarter Final run at the last European Championships raised expectations around the current Turkiye team and they beat Romania and Kosovo in World Cup Play Off matches in March to earn their return. Turkiye were forced into that route after finishing behind Spain in the World Cup Qualifying Group, but they were beaten just once in that section against the current European Champions.
Turkiye are unbeaten in 8 games in all competitions and have won 7 of those since losing to Spain at home and that includes a 2-2 draw when visiting the latter later in that World Cup Qualifying Group.
Quality in the final third makes Turkiye dangerous and they have all they need to make it out of this section as Group Winners as long as they don't make self-inflicted mistakes at the back.
Opening up against Australia gives Turkiye a strong opportunity to get on track in this section with a victory.
After three consecutive Group Stage exits, Australia did manage to climb out of the Group Stage in Qatar, but the current squad are going to have to battle to do the same, even if with the extra eight places afforded to those finishing third in their section.
Australia did comfortably finish above Saudi Arabia in Qualifying, but they look like a team that is going to be more functional than fluid and strong defensive performances will be key in helping them out of this Group. A bit more quality will need to be found in the final third, but Australia's game plan in the opener has to be to frustrate Turkiye and try and exploit set pieces.
This could be successful, but Turkiye are expected to show their quality and the experience that was picked up through Qualifying and recent performances at Euro 2024 and the Nations League.
Sunday 14th June
Germany vs Curacao Pick: There have been some serious signs that the Germany national team is improving over the last couple of years, but some have criticised the decisions made to put together this squad ahead of the World Cup Finals.
There is pressure on this squad- Germany have failed to make it out of the Group Stage in either of the last two World Cup Finals since winning the tournament in 2014 in Brazil.
Germany have been in solid form in the build up to the tournament and it would be a huge surprise if they are not able to make a strong start against a surprising Qualifier in Curacao.
The latter are still a developing nation and this could be a bit of a lesson as to how far they have to travel to become a regular in the World Cup Finals when taking on some of the quality nations in this Group.
Big defeats in recent international friendly games is a real concern, while Germany will want to put a strong result on the board to open to ensure they are not suffering another very disappointing Group Stage exit on the biggest stage.
Netherlands vs Japan Pick: When Japan picked up a deserved international friendly win at Wembley Stadium in March, many would have circled the team and placed them on the 'Dark Horse' list ahead of the World Cup Finals.
Credit has to be given to this nation for the regularity in which they have forced their way out of the Group Stage and four years ago they helped eliminate Germany by Qualifying alongside Spain.
However, Japan have not had a lot of fortune in the injury department and the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were ruled out before the squad was finalised. Wataru Endo is the latest to pick up an injury that has meant leaving the squad too and those hurt Japan and their hopes of finally reaching the latter stages of the World Cup.
There is still pace and tenacity about this team, which will make them dangerous, and Japan are expecting to still have the quality to find a way out of this Group.
Getting the toughest team out of the way in the opener will help, but Japan may be playing catch up if the Netherlands can put together a performance that will remind everyone why so many are pretty high on their chances over the next month.
The reasoning for that is the Netherlands losing on Penalties to Argentina in the World Cup Quarter Final in 2022 and then conceding in the last minute to lose to England in the Euro 2024 Semi Final.
Ronald Koeman's team have a decent defensive unit and a midfield that can keep the ball in the conditions, but much will depend on whether Netherlands can score enough goals against the elite competition in the business end of the tournament.
The opener against Japan will tell us plenty about the Netherlands and it feels like they may have just enough about them to get off to a winning start. Nothing will come easy against Japan, but some key players missing out has shifted the edge to the Group favourites and Netherlands may just edge it behind a set piece.
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador Pick: There is plenty to like about these two nations at this 2026 World Cup and neither Ivory Coast nor Ecuador are going to be an easy out.
Both are pretty resilient at the back, but it is Ivory Coast who perhaps have the edge in the attacking third, although breaking down this Ecuador back line is going to be incredibly challenging.
The South American nation finished second in Qualifying behind Argentina and that was largely thanks to a very good defensive unit, although they are perhaps still needing to find a bit more in the final third.
At the last World Cup, Ecuador were beaten by Senegal in the Group Stage and that saw them eliminated, but they earned 4 points and reaching that tally should be enough for a spot in the Last 32.
Both teams will have that in mind and a point here may not feel like a bad result with a fixture against Curacao to come.
Impressive results in the lead up to the World Cup Finals means there will be a lot of confidence in both camps and it would not be a big surprise if they end up cancelling one another out.
The layers feel the same with an incredibly short price on under 2.5 goals and even backing one of the teams to fail to score is a very short price.
You could perhaps play the 'No Goalscorer', but that is the 'favourite' in the First Goalscorer market and it is a fixture that feels like a draw will end up being the outcome, which would suit Ivory Coast and Ecuador in terms of Qualification.
Goals are likely to be at a premium and it could come down to one piece of magic to decide the outcome of this opening fixture for these two nations.
Sweden vs Tunisia Pick: The European nation are going to feel a little fortunate to be playing at the World Cup considering how poorly they performed in the Qualifying Group, while the African Qualifiers are trying to find a way into the Knock Out Rounds for the first time.
Sweden earned a reprieve having won a Nations League Group and that meant an automatic spot in the World Cup Play Offs, even after finishing with 2 points from a possible 18 from the World Cup Qualifying Group.
Graham Potter was tasked with helping Sweden and wins over Ukraine and Poland have helped them return to the World Cup having reached the Quarter Final in 2018. Avoiding missing out for a fourth time in five Finals will have been a boost for Sweden, but they are under pressure to make a strong start in their bid to progress into the Knock Out Rounds.
Qualifying was much more impressive from Tunisia, but they are being guided by a new manager and have suffered a disappointing early exit in the African Cup of Nations. International friendly performances have been really disappointing and Tunisia are a team that struggle to create quality chances.
The defensive shape will give them a chance, but Sweden have two strong strikers in Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak who will be the key to any successes this team can have.
That firepower looks like it could be the difference between these two teams and Sweden look capable of finding at least one goal, which is all it make take for the important three points to be placed on the board.
Monday 15th June
Spain vs Cape Verde Pick: The conditions may dictate how much teams are willing to push forward in search of goals, but a team like Spain should be pretty comfortable with the amount of possession they are expected to have throughout their time in the United States.
They have plenty of experience compared with Cape Verde, one of the debutants, and Spain are expected to control the ball and use the depth of the squad from the bench to make sure they avoid any upsets.
Since 2010, the Spanish World Cup record has been really disappointing, but they are one of the favourites in North America and you can imagine they are motivated to make an early statement.
Cape Verde deserve their spot in the tournament Finals and they should be respected, but they were well beaten by Cameroon in the away World Cup Qualifier and Spain's possession and quality in the final third could see them put a gloss on the final scoreline when all is said and done in this opening Group H match.
Belgium vs Egypt Pick: This feels like a fixture that would have been featuring much stronger teams if it was played at the last World Cup, or perhaps the one before, but Belgium and Egypt know key players are in the back end of their careers.
Transitions are tough when the likes of Belgium's 'golden generation' and Egypt's Mo Salah have had better days and neither of these nations is expected to have a deep impact in North America this summer.
However, the Group draw has given both a real opportunity to progress from the Group Stage and Belgium are deserving favourites to open up.
There is still a good look to the midfield and attacking options, but Romelu Lukaku's fitness is a concern and the defence is perhaps not as strong as it once was. That should still be enough to edge past an Egypt team that have been lions when it comes to African Cup of Nations Football, but lambs in World Cup Qualifiers having only made one Finals since 1990.
Recent friendly performances will give Egypt encouragement, but Belgium should have enough quality to win what could be a relatively low-scoring fixture.
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay Pick: The expectation is that Spain will be too strong in this Group, but there are some challenges to overcome to follow them out of the section either as the second place team or potentially third place.
Uruguay are rightly going to arrive in the United States as second favourites in the Group, but this is a team that are not quite as strong as those that travelled between 2010 and 2018.
In 2022 they failed to move out of the Group Stage when finishing behind Portugal and South Korea and Marcelo Bielsa's style could be hard to implement in the conditions.
Attacking options look a little basic and Saudi Arabia can make things very difficult for Uruguay, much as they did in a 1-0 defeat in the 2018 World Cup Group Stage.
However, Saudi Arabia may need more in the forward areas to break down this Uruguay team and matching the upset of Argentina in the 2022 World Cup is going to be very tough.
The las time the United States hosted the World Cup, Saudi Arabia did find a way through to the Knock Out Rounds, but they have failed to do that since.
Both teams have lacked goals and this could end up being a tight, competitive fixture that has the outcome determined by a single strike.
Iran vs New Zealand Pick: You cannot ignore all of the political tensions around Iran and the World Cup being hosted by the United States and that has made things very difficult for a squad looking to reach the Knock Out Rounds for the first time.
Instead of being based in the United States as planned, Iran will be in Mexico and given twenty-four hours to travel into the USA for the three Group games to be played.
It is a big country and that is far from ideal, but it could serve as motivation for an experienced squad.
They have won at least one World Cup fixture in each of the last two Finals played and that may be enough to see them out of this Group and into the Knock Outs for the first time. Iran are pretty well balanced and they have a reliable goalscorer in Mehdi Taremi, which could be key in getting out of this 'weak' Group.
Facing New Zealand in the opener gives Iran every chance to begin with a win, although the All Whites need to be respected.
Yes, they come out of a weak Confederation and one that Australia had to depart to find stronger competition to aid them in their development.
However, New Zealand have shown they can be resilient and you can imagine they sit back and look to exploit set pieces and counter attacks to try and hurt Iran. They can have some success with Chris Wood a danger man, but Iran's experience and extra quality can eventually see them pick up three points before travelling back out of the United States.
Tuesday 16th June
France vs Senegal Pick: There does feel like a lack of jeopardy at this stage of the World Cup Finals and especially for some of the stronger nations involved in the tournament.
Some of the early Group matches have lacked a bit of 'star power', but the France opener against Senegal leapt off the page as one of the standout matches of Match Day 1 of the Group Stage.
Twenty-four years ago, Senegal stunned then defending World Champions France with a 1-0 win in the Group Stage and they reached the Quarter Final of the tournament, but the nation did not return until 2018. The last two World Cup Finals showings have ended in disappointment for Senegal, but they will feel they are the strongest of the African Qualifiers having won the African Cup of Nations on the field, but later having it stripped from them.
There is quality in this Senegal squad, but they will find out very early as to what kind of capabilities they have at this tournament when opening up against one of the favourites.
France have reached the World Cup Final in 2018 and 2022 and they were a Penalty Shoot Out success away from defending the crown in Qatar having beaten Croatia to win it all in 2018.
Didier Deschamps is leaving at the end of the World Cup, but he brings another very talented squad to the Finals and France will be expected to have a very deep run.
Nothing is wrong with the attacking options, but the defence and midfield is perhaps not quite as strong and France will be tested- they have been in strong form over the last year since losing to Spain in an epic Nations League Semi Final, but Senegal will take encouragement from seeing Ivory Coast beat the French in a friendly game played earlier in the month.
At this stage of the tournament, neither team will be thinking about anything other than Qualifying and it could make for a competitive contest. However, like the Brazil vs Morocco game, there is a chance that both teams would settle for what they have if the game is tied with twenty minutes left, especially as both France and Senegal may consider the other as the big threat in this section.
You would always expect a Deschamps coached team to be well set up defensively, but France have struggled for recent clean sheets and this Senegal team have enough in the final third to hurt them. At the same time, Senegal's own defence is likely to be tested like they have not been in some time at competitive level and backing both teams to score is a surprising price.
Iraq vs Norway Pick: While the two nations considered the strongest in this Group face one another, Norway return to the major international tournament stage with a decent looking squad that can cause one or two upsets.
English Premier League based Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland are the stand out names and Norway can give themselves a very solid platform to progress to the Last 32 by beating Iraq in this opening fixture.
While Norway made short work if Qualifying and continue to grow in Europe, Iraq had to fight through a number of Asian Qualifying Rounds and then ultimately upset Bolivia in the inter-Confederation Playoff to return to the World Cup Finals in forty years.
They have already achieved all they set out to do by competing in North America, but Iraq have a big gap to bridge to Norway, France and Senegal within this section and even earning a point would be considered a huge achievement.
An international friendly draw with Spain earlier this month will give Iraq massive encouragement, but it was not the main Spanish first eleven and the underdog needed to hang on considerably.
That looks tougher to do in this opener and Norway made short work of the weaker opponents faced in Qualifying to believe they win pretty comfortably on Tuesday.
Argentina vs Algeria Pick: The World Champions arrive in 2026 as one of the favourites thanks to a squad that is filled with experience and also one that has a number of important players approaching their prime.
Lionel Messi may be finishing up his international career and is not the player he was when leading Argentina to success in 2022, but the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez are much more experienced now.
There is a really nice balance to the squad with some up and coming talented attacking players set to make a name for themselves, while Argentina continue to be very strong at the back and that makes them dangerous.
It looks like they have been placed in a Group they should manage, although Argentina fans will not have forgotten losing to Saudi Arabia in the opening Group fixture at the last World Cup.
Argentina continue to be resilient at the back and they will feel that gives them an edge over all three Group opponents beginning with Algeria.
One of the African Qualifiers, Algeria have some experience in the dugout and on the field, while they made short work of Qualification for the 2026 World Cup Finals.
However, the African Cup of Nations performance earlier in the season which saw Algeria fail to score in normal time in both Knock Out ties against DR Congo and Nigeria are a concern and there is a feeling that they need more in the final third. It should be more comfortable facing Austria and Jordan, but Argentina are a different kind of test and the expectation is that the defending World Champion can get off to a solid start in this Group J opener.
Austria vs Jordan Pick: The big question for Austria in their return to the World Cup Finals is whether Ralf Rangnick's high-press tactics will be able to work in what can be very hot conditions in North America at this time of the year.
His squad has experience, but Austria will miss Christoph Baumgartner after his strong showing in Euro 2024.
There is still enough in this Austria side to find a way out of this section, even if they have to face the World Champions in the middle of the three Group games.
That does make it more important to start off on the front foot against Jordan, who are a debutant at the World Cup Finals and who look like one of the weaker nations that have earned a spot in the expanded forty-eight team tournament.
Jordan have already achieved what they would have set out to do when earning a spot in North America, but this is a big step up compared with the teams beaten in Qualification from a Group containing Iraq and Oman as the big threats after South Korea got away.
Inexperience could be costly and the time of this fixture may just allow Austria to perform at a more usual level.
Opening World Cup fixtures can be cagey, but we have seen the likes of the United States and Sweden earn big wins against opponents who have perhaps struggled with the step up. That could be the case for Jordan, although they may avoid the kind of blowout defeats suffered by Paraguay and Tunisia.
The key will be avoiding mistakes, but Austria should have the majority of the ball and they can use that to earn a win by a couple of goals that will put them in a strong position to Qualify for the Knock Out Stages.
Wednesday 17th June
Portugal vs DR Congo Pick: Roberto Martinez may have taken Belgium to the World Cup Semi Final in 2018, but people will look back at his time in charge of that 'golden generation' as one of underachievement.
After being Sacked by the Belgian Football Association, it was a real surprise to see Martinez take over as manager of Portugal, another extremely talented team with big expectations.
Despite the options available, Portugal reached the Quarter Final at Euro 2024 having played out back to back goalless draws in Knock Out ties and winning one Penalty Shoot Out, but then losing the other. Last year they did win the Nations League, which will have given the team confidence and Portugal made relatively easy work in Qualification for the World Cup Finals so the expectations will have perhaps increased as Cristiano Ronaldo takes one more shot at trying to win this tournament.
Portugal should be good enough to beat DR Congo in the opener after the latter Qualified through the inter-Confederation Play Offs.
DR Congo have some quality players within the squad and may yet make it through to the Last 32, but they could struggle to break down this Portugal rearguard.
Ultimately they are a team that will be looking to make life very difficult for opponents, but Portugal should have enough quality in attacking areas, either from the start or off the bench, and that may see them edge past this opponent with a clean sheet.
England vs Croatia Pick: World Cup fever will finally hit England, who were placed in the final Group and so begin the campaign in the last of the Match Day 1 Group Stage fixtures.
There is so much expectation on the shoulders of this England team and the manager Thomas Tuchel will need a strong run to justify some of the squad decisions made.
It would take a monster upset for England to be eliminated in the Group Stage, but England will be looking to win the section and thus avoid ending up in a Bracket that could feature a number of the favourites. Winning the Group will be the expectation, even if England have to deal with a Croatia who have reached the World Cup Final in 2018 and Semi Final in 2022, which is better than the runs England have produced in the same tournaments.
Two years ago Croatia really disappointed in the Euro 2024 tournament though and this is an ageing team that have struggled to find the quality of players to ease the transition from some legendary players.
Croatia have tended to save their best for the World Cup Finals and the experience within the squad and the ball-retention qualities means they should be able to reach the Knock Out Stages.
Both teams will see the other as the biggest test in the section, and that may end up being displayed on the pitch with the respect England and Croatia will have for the other.
Recent games between the nations have tended to be competitive and the last two major tournament meetings have ended in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 England win in regulation time (Croatia won the former in the 2018 World Cup Semi Final in Extra Time).
Potentially hot conditions could see the tempo slowing down at various times in the match and both England and Croatia will feel they have sound defensive principles that will make things very difficult for the other.
It feels the most likely result is a narrow England win thanks to the slightly stronger options in the attacking third, but goals could be at a premium in this fixture that looks like it could be very competitive.
Ghana vs Panama Pick: With games against England and Croatia to come, the two other nations making up this World Cup Group will know that they 'must' start with a victory if they are going to have any ambitions of making it through to the Knock Out Rounds.
Ghana and Panama will both arrive with some confidence, although the former are under new management having struggled with the international friendly matches after Qualifying for the World Cup Finals.
Despite that, Ghana have some quality in the final third and they looked more competitive in the friendly games played under experienced Carlos Queiroz, who can guide them to an opening success.
Credit has to be given to Panama for returning to the World Cup Finals and for the results achieved over the last couple of years, but the standard of opponents is up for debate. The Confederation is hosting the World Cup Finals, which opened the door for others to come through a Qualifying campaign that did not have Canada, Mexico and United States involved, although Panama are probably 'best of the rest'.
The familiarity with the conditions in North America will help, but Antoine Semenyo provides the sprinkle of magic dust that could make the difference for Ghana in this fixture.
Panama have been pretty stubborn to break down, but you have to believe they are aware that a point may not be enough and any spaces left behind could be exploited by Ghana on their way to three priceless points.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Pick: The last fixture of Match Day 1 of the Group Stage is played in Group K when debutants Uzbekistan take on Colombia and it does feel like the Asian Qualifiers could find the step up a little too difficult.
Since Qualifying, Uzbekistan have taken on a mixed of opponents and defeats to the likes of Uruguay, Canada and Netherlands suggests they will find it tough against the top two nations in this Group.
Credit has to be given to the players for avoiding heavy defeats though and Uzbekistan should be well drilled when they face a Colombia side looking to finally make a significant impact at the World Cup Finals.
Colombia did reach the Quarter Final in 2014, but a Last 16 defeat in 2018 was followed by failing to even reach Qatar and they will arrive in the United States with some bigger expectations to meet.
They won both friendly games this month, but defeats to Croatia and France in March suggests there will be a ceiling to what can be achieved by the Colombians.
However, that may not be seen in this Group and Colombia should have enough resilience to contain the Uzbekistan attack, but also the kind of quality in the final third to eventually break them down.
Nothing will come easy against an opponent who should be excited to be playing on this World Cup stage, but Colombia's quality should eventually prevail.
MY PICKS: Mexico to Win & Over 1 Total Goal @ 1.75 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Czechia Draw No Bet @ 2.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Bosnia-Herzegovina + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
USA @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Switzerland Win to Nil @ 1.75 William Hill (1 Unit)
Brazil to Win & Over 1 Total Goal @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Scotland to Win & Over 1 Total Goal @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Turkiye to Win & Under 5 Total Goals @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Germany - 3 English Handicap @ 1.95 William Hill (1 Unit)
Netherlands @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Ivory Coast-Ecuador Under 1.5 Goals @ 2.30 William Hill (1 Unit)
Sweden @ 1.85 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Spain - 2.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.88 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Belgium to Win & Under 5 Total Goals @ 1.80 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Saudi Arabia-Uruguay Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 William Hill (1 Unit)
Iran @ 1.83 Bet365 (1 Unit)
France-Senegal Both Teams to Score @ 2.20 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Norway - 1 English Handicap @ 1.60 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Argentina Win to Nil @ 2.10 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Austria - 1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Portugal Win to Nil @ 1.95 William Hill (1 Unit)
England-Croatia Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.72 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Ghana @ 2.20 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Colombia Win to Nil @ 2.05 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Group Stage: 12-12, - 0.30 Units (24 Units Staked, - 1.25% Yield)
