Which 2026 World Cup Group Is Most Exciting? Henry, Ibrahimović, Lalas Debate

Twelve groups, the astir successful FIFA World Cup history. But which 1 is the astir exciting?

Thierry Henry has predicted it volition beryllium Group I, and not conscionable due to the fact that Les Bleus are successful the group.

"You person to deliberation astir Senegal and Norway, who are my 2 acheronian horses successful this competition," Henry, a World Cup victor with France successful 1998, said connected "FIFA World Cup Live" connected Thursday. "It's going to beryllium pugnacious for Iraq. I bash deliberation that the 3 teams volition spell forward, truthful I'm looking guardant to that one, and there's different one: Group C.

"Obviously, Brazil and Morocco, but, somehow, the archetypal game, Haiti against Scotland, I bash someway deliberation that Haiti tin make an upset with that one."

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappé and France mislaid to Lionel Messi and Argentina successful punishment kicks successful the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, but person reloaded with a heavy squad that's expected to marque a heavy run. Meanwhile, Senegal made the African Cup of Nations final.

For Zlatan Ibrahimović, Group L is the 1 to watch.

"Group L. We person England. We person Croatia … Then, we person Ghana with large talents. Let's spot what they bring," Ibrahimović said. We person Panama. Unfortunately, successful this group, I deliberation they volition beryllium a punching container for England and Croatia, and Ghana mightiness disturb them and instrumentality immoderate points."

Harry Kane and England are hoping to avenge a grueling nonaccomplishment to Lamine Yamal and Spain successful the Euro 2024 final. England hasn't won a large trophy was successful 1966, erstwhile it won the World Cup.

(Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

As for erstwhile USA shot prima and FOX Sports Soccer Analyst Alexi Lalas, helium has his eyes connected Group D, which includes the United States.

"I deliberation for the archetypal clip astatine a World Cup for the U.S. men's team, that [the country] should not settle. [The country] should expect this U.S. team, fixed the talent, fixed the depth, fixed the experience, to triumph this group," Lalas said.

"We person not said that before. I don't deliberation that's Pollyanna. I deliberation that's realistic. I wouldn't accidental that if I didn't judge this squad was susceptible of doing that … I tin accidental it's an ‘easy’ group, and I cognize that's a loaded benignant of word, but if I enactment it up against immoderate radical [they've] had successful the past, I volition instrumentality this each time long."

Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye are the 3 countries successful Group D with Team USA.

Team USA's opening lucifer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is connected Friday nighttime against Paraguay.