Favourites and dark horses, group by group
Who starts ahead and which teams could spring a surprise.
With twelve groups in play, the map of favourites widens compared with past editions. Holders Argentina, the European powers and the three host nations start as headline acts, but the 48-team format opens the door to more surprises than ever, with modest sides able to advance even by finishing third in their group.
Among the big contenders, Argentina have started with authority: their 3-0 over Algeria at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium puts them top of Group J and confirms their favourite status. Germany, meanwhile, sent a devastating warning with a 7-1 demolition of Curaçao at Houston's NRG Stadium, the heaviest scoreline of the early rounds, which leaves them ahead in Group E.
The European powers show contrasting faces. England won a thriller against Croatia (4-2) at Arlington's AT&T Stadium and shape up as contenders in Group L, while Spain produced the unpleasant surprise of the opening matchday by drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde in Atlanta, a stumble that blows their Group H wide open.
Among the hosts, Mexico and the United States have started strongly. The Mexican side bank a second win to lead Group A, while the United States thrashed Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium. Canada, for their part, showed their firepower with an emphatic 6-0 over Qatar at Vancouver's BC Place.
Dark horses are emerging too. Norway, with Haaland as their focal point, beat Iraq 4-1 in Foxborough and look a genuine surprise package, while Sweden (5-1 against Tunisia) and Switzerland (4-1 against Bosnia) have impressed. And humble sides such as Cape Verde and Curaçao are a reminder that, in a 48-team tournament, organisation and solidity can be worth a golden point.
In this group-by-group rundown it is worth weighing which teams arrive with an edge in squad quality and experience, and which could emerge as dark horses by exploiting a larger field and the chance to advance as one of the eight best third-placed sides.
Squad depth, adapting to the North American climate and schedule — with trips across several time zones — and managing those opening matches will be key to separating the genuine contenders from those who fall short. With so many groups still open, the fight for every place looks set to run to the final matchday.