The final draw is complete, and we now know the group stage opponents for each of the qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup.
On Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, United States president Donald Trump, Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, along with Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal, assisted in the draw process to shape the 12, four-team groups that will compete next summer in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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The United States, having automatically qualified as one of the tournament hosts, was already slotted into Group D. It will begin its tournament June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles against Paraguay. The Americans will then play Australia before finishing the group stage against the winner of European playoff C, which could be Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.
Canada has been placed into Group B and will open against the winner of European playoff C — one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina — June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. Its final two group stage games will be against Qatar and Switzerland.
Mexico gets the honor of hosting the opening match of the World Cup on June 11 against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The co-hosts will also face Korea and the winner of European playoff D — Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, or Ireland — in Group A.
World Cup 2026 format
Overall, there will be 16 teams from Europe, nine teams from Africa, eight teams from Asia, six teams from North America, six teams from South America and one team from Oceania taking part in the 2026 World Cup.
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There have been 12 qualifiers so far from Europe, leaving four places up for grabs during the March playoff matches. The Intercontinental Playoffs, also in March, will feature two teams from North America, one from Asia, one from Africa, one from South America, and one from Oceania vying for two spots.
Teams will play against one another in three group games to determine the countries that will advance to the knockout round stage.
There will be 32 teams advancing to the knockout round following the group stage. The top two teams from each group will move on along with the eight best third-place teams. Tiebreakers will consist of (in order) goal differential, goals scored, head-to-head play, fair play record and then drawing of lots.
For this World Cup, FIFA has made tweaks. In the pursuit of competitive balance, two pathways have been created to the semifinals that will prevent the two highest-ranking teams from meeting before the final should they win their respective groups. As an example, Spain is the highest-ranked team in the tournament, with defending champion Argentina ranked second. Those two nations will be drawn into opposite pathways. The same will go for France (No. 3) and England (No. 4) so the top four teams, should they win their groups, will not meet until the semifinals.
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As with all World Cups, teams from the same confederation (example: Brazil and Uruguay) were unable to be drawn into the same group, except for those from Europe.
World Cup 2026 groups, match schedule
(all times Eastern)
GROUP A
1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. Korea Republic
4. European playoff D winner (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)
Thu, June 11, 3 p.m. (FOX): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Thu, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. European playoff D winner, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thu, June 18, 12 p.m. (FOX): European playoff D winner vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thu, June 18, 9 p.m. (FOX): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wed, June 24, 9 p.m. (FOX): European playoff D winner vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wed, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
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GROUP B
1. Canada
2. European playoff A winner (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
3. Qatar
4. Switzerland
Fri, June 12, 3 p.m. (FOX): Canada vs. European playoff A winner, BMO Field (Toronto)
Sat, June 13, 3 p.m. (FOX): Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thu, June 18, 3 p.m. (FOX): Switzerland vs. European playoff A winner, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thu, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wed, June 24, 3 p.m. (FOX): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wed, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): European playoff A winner vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)
GROUP C
1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Haiti
4. Scotland
Sat, June 13, 6 p.m. (FS1): Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Sat, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Fri, June 19, 6 p.m. (FOX): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Fri, June 19, 9 p.m. (FOX): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wed, June 24, 6 p.m. (FOX): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wed, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
(Hector Vivas – FIFA via Getty Images)
GROUP D
1. United States
2. Paraguay
3. Australia
4. European playoff C winner (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
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Fri, June 12, 9 p.m. (FOX): United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sat, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. European playoff C winner, BC Place (Vancouver)
Fri, June 19, 12 a.m. (FS1): European playoff C winner vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Fri, June 19, 3 p.m. (FOX): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Thu, June 25, 10 p.m. (FOX): European playoff C winner vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thu, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
GROUP E
1. Germany
2. Curaçao
3. Ivory Coast
4. Ecuador
Sun, June 14, 1 p.m. (FOX): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sun, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Sat, June 20, 4 p.m. (FOX): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Sat, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thu, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thu, June 25, 4 p.m. (FOX): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
GROUP F
1. Netherlands
2. Japan
3. European playoff B winner (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)
4. Tunisia
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Sun, June 14, 4 p.m. (FOX): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sun, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): European playoff B winner vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Sat, June 20, 1 p.m. (FOX): Netherlands vs. European playoff B winner, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sat, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Thu, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. European playoff B winner, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thu, June 25, 7 p.m. (FOX): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP G
1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. New Zealand
Mon, June 15, 3 p.m. (FOX): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Mon, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sun, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sun, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Fri, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Fri, June 26, 11 p.m. (FOX): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)
GROUP H
1. Spain
2. Cape Verde
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay
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Mon, June 15, 12 p.m. (FOX): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Mon, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sun, June 21, 12 p.m. (FOX): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sun, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Fri, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Fri, June 26, 8 p.m. (FOX): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
GROUP I
1. France
2. Senegal
3. Intercontinental Playoff winner 2 (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname)
4. Norway
Tue, June 16, 3 p.m. (FOX): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tue, June 16, 6 p.m. (FOX): IC Playoff winner 2 vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Mon, June 22, 5 p.m. (FOX): France vs. IC Playoff winner 2, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Mon, June 22, 8 p.m. (FOX): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Fri, June 26, 3 p.m. (FOX): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Fri, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. IC Playoff winner 2, BMO Field (Toronto)
Lionel Messi and Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions after defeating France in the 2022 final. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
(Daniel Jayo via Getty Images)
GROUP J
1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. Austria
4. Jordan
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Tue, June 16, 9 p.m. (FOX): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tue, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Mon, June 22, 1 p.m. (FOX): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Mon, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Sat, June 27, 10 p.m. (FOX): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sat, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP K
1. Portugal
2. Intercontinental Playoff winner 1 (Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia)
3. Uzbekistan
4. Colombia
Fri, June 17, 1 p.m. (FOX): Portugal vs. IC Playoff winner 1, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Fri, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tue, June 23, 1 p.m. (FOX): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tue, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. IC Playoff winner 1, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Sat, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FOX): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sat, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): IC Playoff winner 1 vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP L
1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama
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Fri, June 17, 4 p.m. (FOX): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Fri, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tue, June 23, 4 p.m. (FOX): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tue, June 23, 7 p.m. (FOX): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Sat, June 27, 5 p.m. (FOX): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Sat, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
2026 World Cup odds
According to BetMGM, Spain is the favorite to lift the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 12. The 2010 champions — and 2030 co-hosts with Morocco and Portugal — are +400 to win the tournament for the second time.
England is next at +600, followed by France (+650), Brazil (+750) and reigning champion Argentina (+800).
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The United States is currently listed at +6600 to win the 2026 World Cup.
Who is in this year’s ‘Group of Death?’
Look no further than Group I for the 2026 edition of the “Group of Death.” France, Senegal, Norway and one of Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq will battle it out to advance to the knockout stage.
There are some interesting matchups in Group I. For starters, France and Senegal will meet in the opening match for both countries, which will bring back memories of when these two met at the 2002 World Cup, which saw Senegal secure a stunning 1-0 win.
Erling Haaland will lead Norway in its first World Cup since 1998 and will provide tough opposition when it goes up against Kylian Mbappé and France in a battle of global superstars.
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Group L will provide stiff competition with England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Who is likely to advance from each group?
Group A: Co-hosts Mexico are the favorites and Korea Republic have advanced out of the Round of 16 twice since 2010. But what could change the complexion of this group is which European team emerges from the playoff.
Group B: Host countries traditionally fare well and Canada has to be happy with its draw. Italy or Wales qualifying for this group could make things interesting and potentially a tougher time if only two knockout stage spots are available.
Group C: Brazil are overwhelming favorites to win the group, but after a proud showing in 2022, it will be interesting to see how Morocco has developed after a semifinal run in Qatar. The Scots qualified in dramatic fashion and should be buoyed by a fanbase that’s been waiting since 1998 to get back to a World Cup.
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Group D: The U.S. loves its draw, facing two teams it beat in friendlies this fall. They last faced Türkiye in June, a 2-1 defeat, but Ay-Yıldızlılar have to get through a playoff that features Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
Group E: Germany is looking to move past two straight disappointing World Cups where they failed to advance out of the group stage. The last time they did that was in 2014 when they beat Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final.
Group F: The Dutch reached the quarterfinals in 2022, but exited at the hands of eventual champion Argentina after penalties. They should not struggle here. The fun will come as Japan, Tunisia and playoff qualifier Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania battle it out for the second, and maybe a third, knockout round spot.
Group G: Belgium may not longer have a “golden generation,” but they still have plenty of talent to make a run. Mohamed Salah and Egypt are back at the World Cup after last participating in 2018. They’ve only advanced out of the group stage once — 1934.
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Group H: After Spain and Uruguay were drawn first, this had “Group of Death” vibes. But with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde rounding out the group, this will likely come down to whether a third team can qualify.
Erling Haaland and Norway will take part in the country’s first World Cup since France 1998. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
(Image Photo Agency via Getty Images)
Group I: The “Group of Death?” Most likely. France should get through, but they will be challenged by Erling Haaland and Norway and Senegal, who famously beat them in 2002.
Group J: Argentina should not have a problem getting their title defense off to a good start here. Austria and Algeria will likely be the countries fighting to see who joins Lionel Messi and Co. in the knockout round.
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Group K: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have an easy path to the Round of 32. Colombia, after a strong showing in CONMEBOL qualifying, should be fine, leaving Uzbekistan and one of Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia on the outside.
Group L: Another potential “Group of Death” has England and Croatia fighting it out for the top spot, but don’t discount Ghana, who always provide a tough test after making four out of the past five World Cups.
Here’s how the 2026 World Cup draw played out via our live blog:
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GROUP F
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Ukraine or Sweden vs. Poland or Albania
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GROUP K
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Congo vs. New Caledonia or Jamaica
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GROUP D
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Slovakia or Kosovo vs. Türkiye or Romania
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GROUP I
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Iraq vs. Bolivia or Suriname
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GROUP B
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Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy or Northern Ireland
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GROUP A
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Czech Republic or Ireland vs. Denmark or North Macedonia
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