10 Days to Go: A Whistle-Stop Tour of All 48 Teams

Right then. In 10 days — that's 20:00 (UK) on Thursday 11 June — the predictions slam shut, the Estadio Azteca roof comes off, and Mexico vs South Africa kicks off the biggest World Cup in history. 48 teams. 12 groups. 104 games. No third-place play-off, no mercy.

Before you lock in your groups, here's your group-by-group cheat sheet. Opinions are our own and almost certainly wrong (just ask Gary Neverill).

Group A — Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

Co-hosts Mexico get the party started at the Azteca. Son Heung-min's Korea are the dark horses; the Czechs are everyone's "ooh, tricky" pick.

Group B — Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

The Swiss quietly grind out qualification like it's a tax return. Co-hosts Canada have home crowds and something to prove.

Group C — Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Scotland fans, look away — or look closer. Brazil are Brazil, Morocco are no longer a surprise after 2022, and Haiti are the romantics' pick. Tartan Army, this one's a proper test.

Group D — USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey

Co-hosts USA, plus a Turkey side that's all flair and fireworks. The Socceroos will run until their legs fall off.

Group E — Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Germany vs Curaçao — population around 150,000 — is the fairytale fixture of the group stage. Ivory Coast are dangerous; Ecuador are dogged.

Group F — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Japan are the neutral's favourite and genuinely good. The Dutch will either glide or implode — possibly both in one half.

Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Salah's Egypt, a stubborn Iran, and New Zealand making up the numbers (lovingly). Belgium's "golden generation" is now more of a bronze.

Group H — Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

The Group of Death. In-form Spain and a gnarly Uruguay, with debutants Cape Verde gatecrashing. Pick your third-placed qualifier very carefully here.

Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

France are scary. Norway finally arrive on the big stage with Haaland — appointment viewing. Senegal are a banana skin for anyone.

Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

The world champions, plus debutants Jordan living the dream. Austria are sneakily organised.

Group K — Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Ronaldo's (last?) dance, a vibrant Colombia, and first-timers Uzbekistan. Spicier than it looks on paper.

Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

It's coming home (it says here). Croatia will once again be 35 years old and somehow still brilliant. Ghana bring the noise.

Your homework before 11 June

• Pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd in every group.
• Tick your 8 best third-placed qualifiers (more on that nightmare in our next post).
• Don't forget the tiebreaker: total group-stage goals. Get it as close as you can — it could win you the lot.

10 days. Get predicting. The Honours Board is waiting.