World Cup 2026 Group Stage - Early Reactions and Predictions

[Midnight Georgia]

We are a few days into the 48-team World Cup and the expanded format is generating exactly the kind of chaotic variety you would expect. The US beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opener in Los Angeles, more emphatic than anyone predicted. Brazil and Morocco face off today in New Jersey which is the group stage match of the tournament so far. Scotland have Haiti in Boston which is a game the Tartan Army absolutely cannot afford to drop.

The 48-team format means 12 groups of four with eight third-place finishers advancing, creating a more forgiving path for smaller nations. Opinions are already divided on whether that is a good thing.

What have you watched so far, what has surprised you, and who do you think falls over in the group stage that everyone expects to coast through?

[DQ Eric]

The US win over Paraguay was genuinely impressive. The VAR mistaken identity check in the first half was a bizarre distraction but once resolved they looked comfortable

[CMPunk02]

Brazil vs Morocco last night  was a good game I had been looking forward to since the draw. Morocco showed at the last World Cup they can compete with anyone

[Rhys]

Scotland didn't bottle it against Haiti and I say this as someone who wants them to do well. The pattern is too established

[Woven Sasha]

The 48-team format is too many teams. When you have matches between nations where one side barely competed in qualifying it dilutes things

[Leo29]

The expanded format is great if you care about the global spread of the game. Seeing AFC, CAF and CONCACAF teams getting meaningful experience matters

[Flash79]

Germany vs Curacao tomorrow is the kind of fixture that would not exist in a 32-team tournament. I am here for it out of curiosity

[SharpLantern]

My dark horse is Ecuador. They have the squad, the temperament, and could finish first or second in their group