2026 World Cup draw complete: All 12 groups unveiled for historic 48-team edition
The group stage draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been completed, igniting excitement among football fans worldwide as the 48-team tournament takes shape across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The expanded edition, the first with 48 nations, will feature 12 groups of four teams each, with the opening match set for June 11 in Mexico City where co-host Mexico faces South Africa. The final is scheduled for July 19.
The glittering ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured appearances by former NFL star Tom Brady, ex-NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal, retired NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge. Hosts Samantha Johnson and former England captain Rio Ferdinand led the proceedings.
Here is a look at all 12 groups:
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Play-off D winner (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Play-off A winner (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, UEFA Play-off C winner (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Play-off B winner (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Intercontinental Play-off 2 winner (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Play-off 1 winner (DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
