The groups are set. The squads are almost all confirmed. The tournament starts June 11 and it is time to make some predictions. Twelve groups, 48 teams, 32 qualification spots. Here is who we think goes through and where the biggest upsets will happen.
Group A — Mexico and South Korea go through. Mexico at home in the Azteca with 100,000 fans is almost impossible to beat. South Korea have Son and Kim Min-Jae and should be too good for Czechia and South Africa.
Group B — Switzerland and Canada. Switzerland are the most consistent tournament team in Europe and Canada at home in Toronto will be ferocious. Bosnia are dangerous but one win will probably not be enough.
Group C — Brazil and Morocco. Scotland will give Morocco a proper game and every Scottish fan should treasure the experience but the quality gap is too big over 90 minutes. Haiti will be brave and loud but Brazil will be ruthless.
Group D — USA and Australia. This is the most unpredictable group. USA at home is massive but Turkey with Arda Guler are dangerous. Australia have Tony Popovic and never know when they are beaten. USA top the group. Australia nick second.
Group E — Germany and Ecuador. Germany should be too strong for this group. Ecuador are solid and experienced and should pip Ivory Coast for second. Curacao just being there is the story.
Group F — Netherlands and Japan. Sweden with Gyokeres and Isak could easily be in this conversation but Netherlands are ranked 7th in the world and have the quality to top the group. Japan have beaten Germany and Spain at recent tournaments. Never write them off.
Group G — Belgium and Egypt. Belgium will win this group. Egypt with Salah are genuinely dangerous and could cause Iran real problems. The Salah factor cannot be underestimated. He could single handedly drag Egypt into the Round of 32.
Group H — Spain and Uruguay. Spain top easily. Uruguay under Bielsa are always well organised and dangerous. Darwin Nunez and Valverde give them the firepower to see off Saudi Arabia.
Group I — France and Norway. France will win this group by some distance. Norway with Haaland and Odegaard are the exciting pick. Senegal will push them hard but the Haaland factor gives Norway the edge in a tight race for second.
Group J — Argentina and Austria. Argentina will top this group without breaking a sweat. Austria are having their best generation in decades under Rangnick and should be too organised for Algeria and Jordan.
Group K — Portugal and Colombia. Portugal will win this group. Colombia with Luis Diaz at Bayern Munich and James Rodriguez captaining for the last time are the dangerous dark horse here. The Portugal vs Colombia match on June 25 could be the best game of the group stage.
Group L — England and Croatia. England should top this group. The opener against Croatia on June 17 will tell us everything about whether Tuchel has got this team right. Croatia with Modric at 40 will not make it easy.
The biggest shock of the group stage? Scotland getting a result against Morocco. The biggest favourite to stumble? England to draw with Croatia and make everyone panic before topping the group anyway.
Let me know your thoughts.