Focus: Group H

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group H

London: Spain's FIFA World Cup preparations have been beset by fitness concerns, including to star winger Lamine Yamal, as Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa faces a challenge to his authority before aiming to shock the European champions in Group H.

Barcelona's Yamal could reportedly miss Spain's opening two games against tournament debutants Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia due to the hamstring injury he suffered in April.

The 18-year-old is not the only injury worry for Luis de la Fuente with several of the key members of his Euro 2024-winning squad experiencing disrupted seasons.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176436

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176438

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176440

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176442

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176444

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3176446

Focus: Group C

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group C

London: Brazil's credentials to end a 24-year wait to be world champions will be tested from the off as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and a Scotland side seeking a historic breakthrough pose threats to the Selecao.

After consistent failure when faced with stern European opposition in the knockout stages, Brazil have turned to the coach who has won more Champions League titles than anyone else in Italian Carlo Ancelotti to deliver a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey.

Focus: Group D

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group D

Los Angeles: The United States head into Group D of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with everything to prove after a turbulent build-up marked by an unconvincing run of form that saw them comfortably beaten by elite European opposition in two of three of their most recent friendlies.

A 5-2 thrashing by Belgium in March was followed by a clinical 2-0 defeat to Portugal, giving US head coach Mauricio Pochettino a sobering reality check as he attempts to plot a deep run in the tournament. A 3-2 win against Senegal on Sunday, however, would have brought some cheer.

Focus: Group E

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group E

Paris: Four-time champions Germany head to North America seeking to break their more recent FIFA World Cup hoodoo after failing to make it out of the group stage at the last two editions.

Since Mario Goetze's extra-time winner at the Maracana in the 2014 final, perennial FIFA World Cup contenders Germany have had a miserable time on football's biggest stage.

Focus: Group F

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group F

Paris: Sweden are hoping a strikeforce featuring Premier League stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres can fire them through a tricky FIFA World Cup Group F, after they scraped into the tournament without winning a single group game in qualifying.

Graham Potter's side will take on the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in North America, bidding to extend their run of reaching the knockout phase at each of the past four FIFA World Cups they have qualified for.

Focus: Group G

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Focus: Group G

Paris: Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Belgium stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois head into Group G at the FIFA World Cup 2026 knowing this summer's tournament will likely be their last chance for glory on football's biggest stage.

Their respective countries have been drawn together into the same pool, alongside New Zealand and Islamic Republic of Iran.