United Cup 2026 Outright Tips & Predictions - USA & Germany leading contenders; Belgium outsiders

A total of eighteen teams will be competing for the silverware, with various top 10 players featuring for their respective nations.

USA are defending champions and spearheaded by top 10 stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz.

Read on below for our best outright winner predictions and tips, while you can also check out our dedicated United Cup page for individual match previews and everything you need to know about the tournament - including players, groups, rules and more.

Tough to look past the defending champions here. USA have landed in an extremely favourable group alongside Argentina and Spain, both of which don't have any top 30 players. I'd be stunned if the Americans don't reach the semi-finals and from there, they are obviously a huge chance.

Gauff was outstanding in going unbeaten across her singles matches last year, including taking out Iga Swiatek in the final, while Fritz was also very solid, defeating Hubert Hurkacz.

USA also have two top 20 doubles players at their disposal. Just a very well-rounded team that will take some serious beating.

Zverev traditionally starts his years well and he led Germany to victory at the United Cup back in 2024. He will be determined to make an impact after a disappointing 2025 and he's also defending Australian Open runner-up points - this is an important part of the season for him to perform.

Lys meanwhile enjoyed her breakout at the Australian Open last year when she made the R16 as a lucky loser, with that moment acting as a springboard for her to crack the top 40. Lys has been preparing in Australia throughout December and loves the conditions.

An underrated part of the team is Laura Siegemund - she was on fire partnering Zverev in their triumphant doubles run during the 2024 United Cup, while she can also feature in singles too. With World No. 11 Kevin Krawietz also a very strong doubles option, Germany have the depth to go all the way once more.

Don't take your eyes off Team Canada for a second.

Auger-Aliassime was in sizzling form to finish 2025, winning 24 of his last 31 matches - and five of those defeats were to either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner. He's arguably the third best player in the world right now behind those two - if he can carry that form into the new year.

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Mboko put together one of the most extraordinary title runs we've seen in recent memory when the secured the silverware at the Canada Open, while she also picked up the title in Hong Kong to end 2025 after recovering from an injury.

If these two are fit and firing, they can beat any player in the competition.

I'm absolutely LOVING the value on Belgium here at $51.

Zizou Bergs has been improving every season over the last few years and he was part of the Belgium Davis Cup side that beat Australia in Sydney last year. Bergs also made the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals towards the end of 2025 and finished runner-up in Auckland to launch last year, so he's got a lot of upside here.

Mertens is a very experienced campaigner and will spearhead the team in both singles and doubles. The 30-year-old is a former Australian Open semi-finalist and has won two WTA titles in Australia - she thrives in the conditions down under.

Belgium are simply priced far too high and if they make it out of the group, anything could happen.