MMA Fan’s Guide To World Cup 2026

It’s that time again! The World Cup is here and people who haven’t paid a second of attention to the great sport of association football in the last four years will suddenly be knee deep in Messi, Ronaldo and, considering most of this tournament is on in USA, the greatest of them all – Christian Pulisic.

If you want to sound smarter than that guy from pawn stars, and you’re an MMA fan, I’m here to help you separate the Harry Hardwicks from the Harry Kanes and the Anderson Silvas from the Bernardo Silvas with a team-to-fighter comparison for everyone competing in this summer’s expanded competition. Let’s go!

Group A
Mexico
Fighter Equivalent – Marvin Vettori

Middle of the road performer, has taken scalps in the past. A bit mad.

Odds 80/1

South Africa

Fighter Equivalent – Nick Klein

Made it to the big show, will probably lose every time

Odds 900/1

South Korea

Fighter Equivalent – Davey Grant

Some real upside, everyone likes watching them but getting older and probably won’t be winning the big one.

Odds 400/1

Czechia

Fighter Equivalent – Dan Ige

Still hanging around.

Odds 300/1

Group B
Canada

Fighter Equivalent – Chris Curtis

A few plus points, mostly overrated and outshone by their really American neighbour.

Odds 150/1

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fighter Equivalent – Steve Garcia

Good, but I’m not sure how.

Odds 250/1

Qatar

Fighter Equivalent – Xiong Jingnan

Good in an uncompetitive setting, shown up on a world stage.

Odds 1000/1

Switzerland

Fighter Equivalent – Mike Malott

Good, not great. Probably speaks French.

Odds 80/1

Group C
Brazil

Fighter Equivalent – Max Holloway

Exciting multiple time world champions entering the last dance to win another big one.

Odds 8/1

Morocco

Fighter Equivalent – Gabriel Bonfim

A lot better than most people think, could cause a few shocks.

Odds 50/1

Haiti

Fighter Equivalent – Dennis Buzukja

Just happy to be here.

Odds 1000/1

Scotland

Fighter Equivalent – Daniel Rodriguez

Tough as nails, very skilled in a lot of ways and will probably end up in jail in Mexico.

Odds 250/1

Group D
United States

Fighter Equivalent – Greg Hardy

If they had started the sport when they were 5 years old they still wouldn’t be any good.

Odds 66/1

Paraguay

Fighter Equivalent – Victor Henry

Good steady middle of the road.

Odds 150/1

Australia

Fighter Equivalent – Marcus Buchecha

Would probably be better off concentrating on a different sport.

Odds 500/1

Turkey

Fighter Equivalent – Bobby Green

Used of the madness and talented to a point but unlikely to win big.

Odds 80/1

Group E
Germany

Fighter Equivalent – Kamaru Usman

Very good technical former champions who might be just past their best.

Odds 14/1

Curacao

Fighter Equivalent – Emmanuel Palacio

Not sure if they actually exist.

Odds 1000/1

Ivory Coast

Fighter Equivalent – Li Jingliang

Seems to always be around and wins the odd match-up.

Odds 300/1

Ecuador

Fighter Equivalent – Chito Vera

Brilliant defensively but not strong enough going forward to be a threat.

Odds 100/1

Group F
Netherlands

Fighter Equivalent – Umar Nurmagomedov

Not far away from being the best in the world but one or two might be slightly ahead.

Odds 20/1

Japan

Fighter Equivalent – Volkan Oezdemir

Always fun to watch, might get knocked out early.

Odds 50/1

Sweden

Fighter Equivalent – Beneil Dariush

Unbelievable offensive ability but their defending will probably get them knocked out.

Odds 100/1

Tunisia

Fighter Equivalent – Clayton Carpenter

Don’t really have much to say about them.

Odds 500/1

Group G
Belgium

Fighter Equivalent – Carlos Prates

Unbelievably talented, might be enough to win it all but others might have the edge.

Odds 33/1

Egypt

Fighter Equivalent – Wonderboy

World class attack that is slowing down in 2026.

Odds 300/1

Iran

Fighter Equivalent – Igor Severino

Might get banned by the president.

Odds 500/1

New Zealand

Fighter Equivalent – Rodolfo Vieira

Brilliant at another sport that isn’t the one they are competing in now.

Odds 1000/1

Group H
Spain

Fighter Equivalent – Ian Garry

Brilliantly skilled and might become champion this summer, but finishing could be an issue.

Odds 4/1

Cape Verde

Fighter Equivalent – Kai Kamaka III

Islander glad to be on the biggest stage.

Odds 1000/1

Saudi Arabia

Fighter Equivalent – Matt Hamill

Beat the GOAT a few years ago but not actually that good.

Odds 1000/1

Uruguay

Fighter Equivalent – Belal Muhammad

Former champions, skilled in all areas but will never be champion again

Odds 66/1

Group I
France

Fighter Equivalent – Ilia Topuria

The best in the world and should destroy everyone, but drama surrounds them.

Odds 9/2

Senegal

Fighter Equivalent – Paddy Pimblett

Liverpool attack might shock a few people.

Odds 150/1

Iraq

Fighter Equivalent – Daniel Frunza

Unlikely to do anything of note.

Odds 1000/1

Norway

Fighter Equivalent – Alex Pereira

The best striking on planet earth. Will need to isolate that asset to become champion.

Odds 25/1

Group J
Argentina

Fighter Equivalent – Jon Jones

The aging GOAT going for one last shot at the top.

Odds 8/1

Algeria

Fighter Equivalent – Nasrat Haqparast

Recognisable name(s) that won’t mean much.

Odds 400/1

Austria

Fighter Equivalent – Ricky Simon

Good solid mid-tier outfit.

Odds 150/1

Jordan

Fighter Equivalent – Louie Sutherland

May not be anyone worse.

Odds 1000/1

Group K
Portugal

Fighter Equivalent – Islam Makhachev

Nobody has more talent and might just be about to beat the other best competition in the world.

Odds 8/1

DR Congo

Fighter Equivalent – Reug Reug

Actually kinda good and exciting and will also probably lose.

Odds 750/1

Uzbekistan

Fighter Equivalent – Aori Qileng

Sounds cool but not great.

Odds 1000/1

Colombia

Fighter Equivalent – Gunnar Nelson

Hey, remember that guy from 12 years ago? Yeah, he’s still around.

Odds 33/1

Group L
England

Fighter Equivalent – Cyril Gane

Will likely fail to deliver once again.

Odds 6/1

Croatia

Fighter Equivalent – Jim Miller

Plucky old timers who might teach these young bucks a lesson.

Odds 80/1

Ghana

Fighter Equivalent – Geoff Neal

One huge attacking weapon and very little else

Odds 350/1

Panama

Fighter Equivalent – Luke Fernandez

Did I make that up?

Odds 1000/1