FIFA announced the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Centre, setting the stage for the first-ever 48-team edition of football’s biggest tournament. With more teams added in the mega event, the tournament will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States
With the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo behind us, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have become the biggest stars in world football. Their teams, France and Norway, have been drawn together in Group I, along with Senegal, one of Africa’s strongest sides. The last spot in the group will be filled by the winner of the European play-offs between Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and Albania, making it a tough “Group of Death.”
Morocco, the surprise team from the last World Cup, will face Brazil in Group C. Scotland and Haiti are also in the group, meaning all four teams will have a tough fight to advance.
England and Croatia have been drawn in Group L, a combination many see as capable of challenging for the title. Ghana and Panama will have a difficult task trying to get past these two teams.
If Italy wins their European play-off, they will join Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B. However, it is still uncertain which team will come out on top in this group is still uncertain.
The tournament opener will take place between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico. South Korea will also play in Group A, along with the winner of the play-off between Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, and Ireland.
Groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European Playoff Winner D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland) |
| B | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European Playoff Winner A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti |
| D | United States, Australia, Paraguay, European Playoff Winner C (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo) |
| E | Germany, Curacao, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European Playoff Winner B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania) |
| G | Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff Winner (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq) |
| J | Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA Playoff Winner (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| L | England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana |