The group of death. France are back-to-back finalists with arguably their best ever squad. Norway have Erling Haaland and scored 37 goals in qualifying. Senegal are African champions and know how to win. And Iraq played 19 games across four rounds just to get here. One of these things is not like the others. Group I is going to be something special.

Now THIS is a proper World Cup group. Spain rolling in as tournament favourites, Uruguay with Bielsa pulling the strings, Saudi Arabia fancying another upset, and Cape Verde at a World Cup for the very first time. One of these things is not like the others. Here's our Group H breakdown.

Group G is a political minefield, a farewell tour, and a glimpse at what happens when Oceania qualifies someone. Salah leads Egypt into what's almost certainly his final World Cup. Belgium's golden generation has been melted down for scrap. Iran are training in Mexico and travelling to America just for their games. And New Zealand have called up a lad from Braintree Town. Brilliant.

Japan are the hipster pick this summer — which probably means they'll finish bottom with zero points. Sweden somehow qualified despite winning nothing in their group. The Netherlands have one last big tournament in them. And Tunisia? They beat France at the last one. Group F is half way through our previews, and it's a good one.

The smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. An Ecuador side that conceded five goals in eighteen qualifying games. Florian Wirtz out to prove a point after a difficult debut season at Liverpool. And Yan Diomande, potentially the best dribbler in the world. Group E is quietly one of the best groups of the tournament.

Group D might not grab the headlines, but don't sleep on it. The USA are at home and desperate to go deep, Türkiye have arguably the most exciting young forward line in the tournament, Paraguay will bore you to death and somehow nick a point, and Australia have a 6'6" centre-half who scores more than most strikers. See you at 3am for Australia vs Paraguay.

Group C has our first real big hitter - and it's not who you'd expect to cause problems. Brazil are far from their peak, Morocco are flying, Scotland are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, and Haiti have pulled off one of the great qualification stories. This one's got everything.

Group B kicks off on day two, with hosts Canada taking on Bosnia in Toronto. No standout favourites, plenty of talent, and four sides who all fancy their chances. Here's our full breakdown - including the 21-year-old who sent Bosnia to America and why Swiss efficiency might just win out.

Got World Cup Fever? Symptoms include wall charts, sweepstake spreadsheets, and convincing yourself Ivan Toney's Saudi Arabia form counts for something. Group A kicks things off on June 11 — and with Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, and South Africa all capable of nicking points off each other, this might be the most open group in the tournament. Here's our full breakdown.