The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw placed 48 nations into 12 groups, setting the stage for the expanded tournament.
Co-host Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match on June 11. The complete schedule will be released on Saturday.
The draw ceremony took place at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on Friday. Teams were divided into four pots of 12 based on world rankings. Each group received one team from each pot, with the rule that no two teams from the same confederation, except UEFA, could be drawn together.
Defending champion Argentina entered Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Runner-up France landed in Group I with Senegal, Norway, and the winner of FIFA Playoff 2. England joined Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, while Portugal drew Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of FIFA Playoff 1.
Brazil, a five-time champion, will compete in Group C against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Germany, a four-time winner, will play in Group E with Curacao, the Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. The United States, another co-host, will feature in Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of European Playoff C.
Six teams remain undecided and will qualify through European and Inter-Continental Playoffs. Contenders include Italy, Ukraine, Turkiye, Denmark, DR Congo, Jamaica, Iraq, and Bolivia.
The 2026 edition marks the first World Cup with 48 teams, promising more matches and wider global representation. Fans now await the full schedule to plan for one of the biggest sporting events in history.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Winner of European Playoff D
Group B: Canada, Winner of European Playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of European Playoff C
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of European Playoff B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of FIFA Playoff 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner of FIFA Playoff 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Teams in contention through Playoffs
European Playoff A: Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina
European Playoff B: Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
European Playoff C: Turkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
European Playoff D: Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland
FIFA Inter-Continental Playoff 1: DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
FIFA Inter-Continental Playoff 2: Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
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