Ben's Sports Hub

Group L England → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 4th in the FIFA rankings Croatia → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 11th in the FIFA rankings Ghana → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 73rd in the FIFA rankings Panama → Qualified as a CONCACAF group winner, ranked 34th in the FIFA rankings England Team Preview England qualified easily for the 2026 World Cup, going undefeated in their group and having a goal differential of +22. They’ve only taken two losses since the start of 2025, to Senegal and Japan, tied with Uruguay, and have only beaten one team that qualified for the World Cup. As usual, England has put out a very strong side with top players from across every league. I see England going far in the tournament but will not win the whole thing. It’s not coming home yet again.  Croatia Team Preview Croatia has qualified for their seventh World Cup and have only missed one in the entirety of them being a country. They have one of the best overall World Cup reco...

Group K Portugal → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings DR Congo → Qualified as FIFA playoff winner, ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings Uzbekistan → Qualified as top AFC group finisher, ranked 50th in the FIFA rankings Colombia → Qualified as a top CONMEBOL group finisher, ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings Portugal Team Preview In what is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup tournament, Portugal are looking to do what Argentina did for Messi last year and get one of the greatest players of all time the trophy he is missing. Portugal won their tough group with Ireland and Hungary on their tails, but they only lost one game and had a solid goal differential of +13. Since September 2024, they have only lost two games and won the UEFA Nations League, beating Spain in a shootout in that tournament. Portugal are led by players like Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Reuben Dias, and so many more. On top of wanting to win for Ronaldo, they will also be holding Diogo...

Group J Argentina → Qualified as CONMEBOL group winner, ranked 3rd in the FIFA rankings Algeria → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings Austria → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 24th in the FIFA rankings Jordan → Qualified as AFC group winner, ranked 63rd in the FIFA rankings Argentina Team Preview Lionel Messi and Argentina are defending their World Cup title in this edition and what will likely be Messi’s last time playing for Argentina in the World Cup. They cruised through CONMEBOL qualification and despite having four losses, still won the group by nine points. They have only lost once in 2025-2026 and are one of the top teams to win the tournament again this year. Anchored by Lionel Messi and loaded with talent across the board, I expect this team to yet again advance deep into the tournament and make at least a semi-finals appearance.  Algeria Team Preview Algeria is back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014 in Brazil where they adv...

Group I France → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 1st in the FIFA rankings Senegal → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 15th in the FIFA rankings Iraq → Qualified through FIFA playoff, ranked 56th in the FIFA rankings Norway → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 31st in the FIFA rankings Before we get started here with the rest of the post, I want to take the time to mention how insanely difficult this group will be and why I believe it is the group of death this year. France is the best team in the world right now, Senegal is one of the top African teams, Norway has Erling Haaland, and Iraq thrives when counted out. This is going to be a fascinating group that truly could have any one advance. France Team Preview The French are bringing back another insanely strong squad to try and win their second World Cup in three editions. France were a great save by Emi Martinez on Randal Kolo Muani away from winning in extra time in Qatar. To highlight how good they are this year, Ko...

Group H Spain → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings Cabo Verde → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 67th in the FIFA rankings Saudi Arabia → Qualified as AFC group winner, ranked 61st in the FIFA rankings Uruguay → Qualified as a top CONMEBOL finisher, ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings Spain Team Preview Spain is one of two teams that me and probably most others in the world believe have the best shot at winning the World Cup. They are currently ranked second in the FIFA rankings, never lost in qualifying, and have only lost twice between 2024 and 2026 and are poised to try and win the Cup again after winning back in 2010. They are filled with young talent like Lamine Yamal and Pedri but also have veterans like Laporte and Olmo. I believe that Spain will go far and they are my pick to win the World Cup.  Cabo Verde Team Preview Welcome to the World Cup Cabo Verde! The second smallest country to ever qualify, topping their group which included Cameroon....

Group G Belgium → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 9th in the FIFA rankings Egypt → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 29th in the FIFA rankings Iran → Qualified as AFC group winner, ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings New Zealand → Qualified as OFC playoff winner, ranked 85th in the FIFA rankings Belgium Team Preview Belgium went undefeated in their qualifying group to advance to the World Cup, although it was one of the easier groups. They have been on a good run of form since 2024 where they collapsed in the UEFA Nations League. They have beaten or tied their last four opponents, all who qualified for the World Cup, by a combined score of 13-3. They have an easier group on paper so I do think they will advance, but I never trust them in the long run.  Egypt Team Preview The Egyptians are back in the World Cup for the second time this century and ready to do better than they did in Russia, losing all three games. They were unscathed in their qualifying group with Burkina Fa...