Determining hardest, easiest groups, best games and Golden Boot winner at the 2026 World Cup

The Athletic's writers look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, after the 12 groups were drawn in Washington DC on Friday

Takeaways, best games and more from World Cup 2026 draw

England-Croatia, Brazil-Morocco and France-Norway look like the best matchups of the group stage. Honorable mention to any Scotland game — it’s their first World Cup since 1998, the fan base travels well and the team plays an entertaining brand of soccer.

FIFA World Cup draw scenarios for Mexico: What's the best draw, worst draw El Tri could get?

Colombia recently wrecked Mexico 4-0 in October, and if Italy finally punches their ticket back into the World Cup after missing out on the previous two editions, they'll be back with a vengeance. That's always a dangerous type of opponent to face when you're in questionable form.

USA’s 2026 World Cup group draw a best-case scenario full of possibility

The U.S. drew familiar opponents and ones it just beat as part of World Cup prep. The expectations for next summer are now on the rise
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