I did not watch the draw event. It was bound to be an extravagant and irrelevant event, and it appears it was since what everyone is talking about seems to be Mr. Trump. So let me start by congratulating Mr. Trump for achieving that everyone is talking about him, and not about the football draw, which is what interests me, and not all the other stuff.
The final setup of the groups still depends on the remaining playoff matches that will take place in March. I include the teams that I think will qualify in parenthesis:
Group A:
- Mexico
- South Corea
- South Africa
- (Czech Republic)
The Mexican hosts drew a group where they should qualify, although they will have to play better than in their latest friendlies. The opening match will be a repeat of the 2010 opening match in South Africa in an upgraded Azteca stadium. South Corea is probably the other team to watch, although an UEFA side is set to qualify: Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia. Although I hope it will be Denmark, I think it will be either the Czechs or Irish, who have the spirit and commitment to qualify in what will be a final at home for each of them.
Group B:
- Canada
- Qatar
- Switzerland
- (Italy)
The Canadian hosts will be looking to progressing from a difficult group, perhaps in a third spot they will have to fight for against Qatar. In the meantime I think Switzerland will be group winners, even though it seems that the last team will be Italy, or maybe, Wales, Northern Ireland or Bosnia-Hercegovina. But another World Cup without Italy...?
Group C:
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Haiti
One of the most interesting groups, in particular because giants Brazil will be facing the African powerhouse, Morocco, who in 2022 were the first African team to make it to a World Cup semifinal and were recently crowned U-23 World Champions. Probably these two sides will play for the first spot, but will also face two teams that will attract a lot of neutral support: the Haitians who are back in a World Cup for the first time since 1974, and the charming Scots whose fans are some of the best in the world.
Group D:
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- (Turkey)
The North Americans are probably optimistic in this group, but may struggle because of arrogance. Although none of the other teams appear as the best, they are certainly strong. Australia have shown they are competitive and an always-fighting Paraguay are both teams that can defeat anyone on a good day. In the meantime we are looking at a UEFA team to qualify among Turkey, Kosovo, Slovakia and Romania.
Group E:
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Curacao
- Cote d'Ivoire
On paper this should be an easy group for the Germans, and if they do not win it, it will be a surprise. Ecuador and Cote d'Ivoire seem to be the teams that will fight to be runner-ups, and perhaps take a third place to go to the last-32. In the meantime small Curacao is playing its first World Cup, and there will be limited expectations, although if they pull a surprise, it will surely make them the darlings of the tournament.
Group F:
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- (Poland)
The two sides to watch in this group are the Netherlands and Japan, although Tunisia are certainly a competitive side that could also make it to the next round. In the meantime the last team is to be found among Poland, Ukraine, Sweden and Albania, where all, except Sweden, appear as strong sides. On paper the Dutch are favourites, but I think this will be one of the closest groups.
Group G:
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
A group where the Belgians enter as big favourites, and anything but them winning the group would be disappointing. That said, Belgium has disappointed before, and in particular Iran and Egypt will be sides with a lot of spirit and strong players, and could surprise. New Zealand I do not expect much from; I may be wrong.
Group H:
- Spain
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- Cape Verde
Spain and Uruguay are huge favourites in this group, and the match between these two former World Champions will be one of the most expected matches in the group stages. In the meantime Saudi Arabia have already shown before that they are able to pull a surprise (they memorably defeated Argentina in 2022), while Cape Verde will be playing their first World Cup ever, and can only surprise, but it will be great if the do!
Group I:
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- (Bolivia)
This could be the "group of Death". France may be slight favourites, but they are facing Senegal, who with a lot of French-born and -based players will be eager to repeat their legendary 2002 victory against the then-World Champions. In the meantime Norway are considered one of the Dark Horses this year having qualified in style. The last team will be found among Bolivia, Surinam and Iraq, all sides that should be capable of pulling a surprise.
Group J:
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
The defending World Champions have pulled what on paper appears to be a very easy group. But it is becoming a tradition that the defending champions do bad in defending the title, and the Argentineans will also struggle against their own arrogance, in particular against Algeria and Austria, two competitive sides that may surprise. In the meantime Jordan, in their first World Cup ever, can only surprise.
Group K:
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- (RD Congo)
Portugal and Colombia will be one of the most awaited matches in the first round, with both teams being huge favourites in a group that count the debutantes of Uzbekistan, as well as one of the following: Jamaica, New Caledonia and RD Congo. I think the Congolese will make it, although appears to be a final against Jamaica.
Group L:
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
A quite exciting group with Croatia and England as favourities, but (my dear) Ghana will also be a side to watch, and magnificent to have their great fans back in the World Cup. Panama are playing their second World Cup ever, and seems like it could be a repeat of 2018 when they were trashed by England.
