World Cup 2026 Group Stage: Standings, Fixtures & Betting Insights as of 16 June

The opening round of matches in the expanded 48-team World Cup have produced surprises, solid victories, and cautious starts. Here is the latest overview of standings, recent results, goal scorers, and upcoming fixtures in BST, alongside some betting angles worth noting before matchday two.

Group A Standings and Results

Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 at Estadio Azteca with goals from Quiñones and Jiménez. Meanwhile, South Korea edged Czech Republic 2–1 in Zapopan thanks to late strikes from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu.

• Czech Republic vs South Africa – 18 June, 5:00pm BST (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
• Mexico vs South Korea – 18 June, 2:00am BST (Estadio Akron, Zapopan)
• Czech Republic vs Mexico – 24 June, 2:00am BST (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
• South Africa vs South Korea – 24 June, 2:00am BST (Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe)

Group B Snapshot

All four teams share one point and identical goal difference after draws: Canada held Bosnia 1–1, and Qatar drew 1–1 with Switzerland at Levi’s Stadium. Upcoming clashes will be critical.

• Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – 18 June, 8:00pm BST (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
• Canada vs Qatar – 18 June, 11:00pm BST (BC Place, Vancouver)
• Switzerland vs Canada – 24 June, 8:00pm BST (BC Place, Vancouver)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar – 24 June, 8:00pm BST (Lumen Field, Seattle)

Group C Overview

Scotland claimed a narrow win over Haiti thanks to McGinn’s goal. Brazil and Morocco drew 1–1.

• Scotland vs Morocco – 19 June, 11:00pm BST (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)
• Brazil vs Haiti – 19 June, 1:30am BST (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
• Scotland vs Brazil – 24 June, 11:00pm BST (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens)
• Morocco vs Haiti – 24 June, 11:00pm BST (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)

Group D Highlights

The US dominated Paraguay 4–1 in Inglewood, while Australia defeated Turkey 2–0 in Vancouver.

• United States vs Australia – 19 June, 8:00pm BST (Lumen Field, Seattle)
• Turkey vs Paraguay – 19 June, 4:00am BST (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)
• Turkey vs United States – 25 June, 3:00am BST (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
• Paraguay vs Australia – 25 June, 3:00am BST (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)

Group E Status

Germany crushed Curaçao 7–1 in Houston, with Havertz scoring twice. Ivory Coast won 1–0 against Ecuador.

• Germany vs Ivory Coast – 20 June, 9:00pm BST (BMO Field, Toronto)
• Ecuador vs Curaçao – 20 June, 1:00am BST (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)
• Curaçao vs Ivory Coast – 25 June, 9:00pm BST (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
• Ecuador vs Germany – 25 June, 9:00pm BST (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)

Group F Summary

Sweden overwhelmed Tunisia 5–1 with multiple scorers, while Japan and Netherlands played out a 2–2 draw.

• Netherlands vs Sweden – 20 June, 6:00pm BST (NRG Stadium, Houston)
• Tunisia vs Japan – 20 June, 5:00am BST (Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe)
• Japan vs Sweden – 25 June, 12:00am BST (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
• Tunisia vs Netherlands – 25 June, 12:00am BST (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)

Group G Update

Belgium and Egypt drew 1–1 at Lumen Field, Seattle.

• Iran vs New Zealand – 15 June, 2:00am BST (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
• Belgium vs Iran – 21 June, 8:00pm BST (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
• New Zealand vs Egypt – 21 June, 2:00am BST (BC Place, Vancouver)
• Egypt vs Iran – 26 June, 4:00am BST (Lumen Field, Seattle)
• New Zealand vs Belgium – 26 June, 4:00am BST (BC Place, Vancouver)

Group H Status

Spain and Cape Verde played to a goalless draw. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay shared a 1–1 result.

• Spain vs Saudi Arabia – 21 June, 5:00pm BST (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
• Uruguay vs Cape Verde – 21 June, 11:00pm BST (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens)
• Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia – 26 June, 1:00am BST (NRG Stadium, Houston)
• Uruguay vs Spain – 26 June, 1:00am BST (Estadio Akron, Zapopan)

Groups I to L Upcoming Matches

Groups I through L are just starting their campaigns today and tomorrow, with France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia, England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama all about to kick off. Early odds may not shift drastically yet, but underdog chances should become clearer soon.

• France vs Senegal – 16 June, 8:00pm BST (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)
• Iraq vs Norway – 16 June, 11:00pm BST (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough)
• Argentina vs Algeria – 16 June, 2:00am BST (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)
• Austria vs Jordan – 16 June, 5:00am BST (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)
• Portugal vs DR Congo – 17 June, 6:00pm BST (NRG Stadium, Houston)
• Uzbekistan vs Colombia – 17 June, 3:00am BST (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
• England vs Croatia – 17 June, 9:00pm BST (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
• Ghana vs Panama – 17 June, 12:00am BST (BMO Field, Toronto)

Betting Insights

• Germany look dominant after a 7–1 thrashing of Curaçao, showcasing clinical finishing and a defense that might be vulnerable if pressed. Their showdown with Ivory Coast on 20 June could decide group supremacy and impact knockout pairings.
• Group B stands as an even contest; all teams drew their opener 1–1. Matches on 18 June could create a clear leader. Betting on small margins like draw no bet or double chance could be safer than backing outright winners here.
• The clash between Sweden and Netherlands on 20 June promises goals. Sweden's strong attack scored five against Tunisia, while the Dutch conceded twice to Japan. Markets focusing on both teams to score or overs might offer value.
• Scotland surprises as group leaders after beating Haiti. The upcoming game against Brazil on 24 June might be underrated by bookmakers, so there may be value backing Scotland with a handicap or a draw.
• The first matches for Groups I to L start this week. It is wise to wait for initial results before betting on group winners, as favorites’ odds may stay steady but underdog prospects will become clearer quickly.