A Football Weekly discussion by The Guardian previews the FIFA World Cup 2026 groups E through H. The panel starts with Group E, which includes Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. The conversation highlights unusual experience points within the group, including a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a 78-year-old manager, and debates whether Germany’s recent struggles at major tournaments position them as dark horses. It also focuses on what to expect from debutant Curaçao.
The preview then moves to Group F, featuring the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden, with discussion centered on whether the Netherlands are truly strong or face the risk of a major tournament “implosion.” For Japan, the panel considers whether the team can maintain its dark-horse profile without Kaoru Mitoma.
In Group G, Belgium is presented as the main candidate, with matches against Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. The programme concludes with Group H, where Spain faces Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, and asks whether Spain are favourites to top the group.
