World Cup 2026: England, Scotland, and predictions thread

[Rob72]

The tournament is live as of tonight. Mexico host South Africa in the opener at the Azteca and we are off. England face Paraguay in their first group game in the early hours of June 13th UK time. Scotland are in Group H and their first fixture is June 14th. Both have realistic paths out of the groups on paper, which is a sentence I say every tournament with increasing anxiety.

Tuchel has been careful with expectations, describing England as challengers rather than favourites. The squad is strong and there is real depth across most positions. The familiar question of whether they can translate good squad quality into tournament football is as relevant as ever. Scotland have developed a tough, organised style under their current setup and could be a difficult match for anyone in the group.

The 48-team format means the group stage has even more matches than usual and following the whole thing is going to require real dedication from a UK timezone perspective. What are people's genuine predictions? Optimism or pragmatism this year?

[Beth]

Genuine optimism for the first time in years from me. The squad has real competition for places, the manager has a clear defensive structure, and we have players who have won things at club level. None of that has translated before, but still.

[WWEReins19]

I am doing cautious pragmatism as a protective measure. I have been hurt too many times to allow real hope in before the quarters at the earliest. Ask me again in two weeks.

[PhotonBurst16]

Scotland could genuinely surprise people in this group. They are organised, difficult to break down, and have the tournament experience of 2024 behind them. Would not back them to win it but a last-16 run is very achievable.

[JohnyBlue]

France are the team nobody wants to play. Mbappe and Olise together is genuinely frightening. If I am England manager I am hoping not to see them until the final at the absolute earliest.

[HeartbreakKidStinger64]

The 48-team format is my main grievance going in. I will watch everything I can but there will be group games between teams I genuinely have no emotional investment in at 3am and I will be watching them anyway like a fool.

[Gaz90]

Brazil quietly look very strong this year. I feel like they are being underrated in the English press which tends to only focus on European teams until the tournament forces them to acknowledge the rest of the world.

[NicholasCleverley]

First World Cup on this scale in three countries. The logistics story alone is fascinating. Different weather, time zones across venues, travel distances between matches that would span entire European countries.

[Jonathan_Repetto]

Anyone else already building their wall chart? Yes I know we are adults. No I will not be apologising.