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Twelve groups, the most in FIFA World Cup history. But which one is the most exciting?
Thierry Henry has predicted that it will be Group I, and not just because Les Bleus is in the group.
“You have to think about Senegal and Norway, which are my two dark horses in this competition,” Henry, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, said on “FIFA World Cup Live” on Thursday. “It’s going to be tough for Iraq. I think the three teams will go forward, so I’m looking forward to it, and there’s one more: Group C.
“Obviously, Brazil and Morocco, but somehow, the first game, Haiti against Scotland, I think somehow Haiti can make an upset with it.”
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappé and France lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina on penalties in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final but have been replenished with a deep squad expected to make a deep run. Meanwhile, Senegal reached the African Cup of Nations final.
For Zlatan Ibrahimović, Group L is the one to watch.
“Group L. We have England. We have Croatia… Then we have Ghana with great talents. Let’s see what they bring,” Ibrahimović said. We have Panama. Unfortunately in this group I think they will be a punching bag for England and Croatia and Ghana might be able to upset them and take some points.”
Harry Kane and England hope to avenge a grueling loss to Lamine Yamal and Spain in the 2024 European Championship final. England have not won a major trophy since 1966, when they won the World Cup.
(Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
As for former U.S. Soccer star and FOX Sports Soccer analyst Alexi Lalas, he has his eyes set on Group D, which includes the United States.
“I think for the first time at a World Cup for the US men’s team, that [the country] should not settle. [The country] should expect this American team, given the talent, given the depth, given the experience, to win this group,” Lalas said.
“We haven’t said that before. I don’t think it’s Pollyanna. I think it’s realistic. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t believe this team was capable of doing it… I can say it’s an ‘easy’ group, and I know that’s a loaded type of word, but if I put it up against a group [they’ve] had previously, I will take it all day long.”
Paraguay, Australia and Turkey are the three countries in Group D with Team USA.
Team USA’s opening game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Friday night against Paraguay.
