The ultimate draw is full, and we now know the group stage opponents for every of the certified groups for the 2026 World Cup.
On Friday on the Kennedy Middle in Washington, , Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, together with and Shaquille O’Neal, assisted within the to form the 12, four-team teams that may compete subsequent summer season within the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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The US, having robotically certified as one of many event hosts, was already slotted into Group D. It’ll at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in opposition to Paraguay. The Individuals will then play Australia earlier than ending the group stage in opposition to the winner of European playoff C, which could possibly be Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.
Canada has been positioned into Group B and can open in opposition to the winner of European playoff C — certainly one of Italy, Northern Eire, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina — June 12 at BMO Discipline in Toronto. Its last two group stage video games can be in opposition to Qatar and Switzerland.
Mexico will get the consideration of internet hosting the opening match of the World Cup on June 11 in opposition to South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico Metropolis. The co-hosts will even face Korea and the winner of European playoff D — Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, or Eire — in Group A.
FIFA will announce the complete schedule with dates, kickoff instances and venues 12 p.m. ET Saturday.
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World Cup 2026 format
General, there can be 16 groups from Europe, 9 groups from Africa, eight groups from Asia, six groups from North America, six groups from South America and one group from Oceania collaborating within the 2026 World Cup.
There have been 12 qualifiers so removed from Europe, leaving 4 locations up for grabs throughout the March playoff matches. The Intercontinental Playoffs, additionally in March, will characteristic two groups from North America, one from Asia, one from Africa, one from South America, and one from Oceania vying for 2 spots.
Groups will play in opposition to each other in three group video games to find out the nations that may advance to the knockout spherical stage.
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There can be 32 groups advancing to the knockout spherical following the group stage. The highest two groups from every group will transfer on together with the eight greatest third-place groups. Tiebreakers will encompass (so as) objective differential, objectives scored, head-to-head play, honest play document after which drawing of heaps.
For this World Cup, FIFA has made tweaks. Within the pursuit of aggressive stability, two pathways have been created to the semifinals that may forestall the 2 highest-ranking groups from assembly earlier than the ultimate ought to they win their respective teams. For example, Spain is the highest-ranked group within the event, with defending champion Argentina ranked second. These two nations can be drawn into reverse pathways. The identical will go for France (No. 3) and England (No. 4) so the highest 4 groups, ought to they win their teams, is not going to meet till the semifinals.
As with all World Cups, groups from the identical confederation (instance: Brazil and Uruguay) had been unable to be drawn into the identical group, aside from these from Europe.
World Cup 2026 teams, match schedule
GROUP A1. Mexico2. South Africa3. Korea Republic4. European playoff D winner (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Eire)
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Thu, June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico Metropolis)Thu, June 11: Korea Republic vs. European playoff D winner, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)Thu, June 18: European playoff D winner vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)Thu, June 18: Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)Wed, June 24: European playoff D winner vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico Metropolis)Wed, June 24: South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
GROUP B1. Canada2. European playoff A winner (Italy/Northern Eire/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina)3. Qatar4. Switzerland
Fri, June 12: Canada vs. European playoff A winner, BMO Discipline (Toronto)Sat, June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)Thu, June 18: Switzerland vs. European playoff A winner, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)Thu, June 18: Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)Wed, June 24: Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)Wed, June 24: European playoff A winner vs. Qatar, Lumen Discipline (Seattle)
GROUP C1. Brazil2. Morocco3. Haiti4. Scotland
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Sat, June 13: Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)Sat, June 13: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)Fri, June 19: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)Fri, June 19: Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)Wed, June 24: Exhausting Rock Stadium (Miami)Wed, June 24: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the US, attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts on Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (Photograph by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photographs)
(Hector Vivas – FIFA through Getty Photographs)
GROUP D1. United States2. Paraguay3. Australia4. European playoff C winner (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
Fri, June 12: United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)Sat, June 13: Australia vs. European playoff C winner, BC Place (Vancouver)Fri, June 19: European playoff C winner vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)Fri, June 19: United States vs. Australia, Lumen Discipline (Seattle)Thu, June 25: European playoff C winner vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)Thu, June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
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GROUP E1. Germany2. Curaçao3. Ivory Coast4. Ecuador
Solar, June 14: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)Solar, June 14: NRG Stadium (Houston)Sat, June 20: BMO Discipline (Toronto)Sat, June 20: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Metropolis, Missouri)Thu, June 25: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)Thu, June 25: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
GROUP F1. Netherlands2. Japan3. European playoff B winner (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)4. Tunisia
Solar, June 14: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)Solar, June 14: Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)Sat, June 20: NRG Stadium (Houston)Sat, June 20: Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)Thu, June 25: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)Thu, June 25: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Metropolis, Missouri)
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GROUP G1. Belgium2. Egypt3. Iran4. New Zealand
Mon, June 15: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)Mon, June 15: Lumen Discipline (Seattle)Solar, June 21: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)Solar, June 21: BC Place (Vancouver)Fri, June 26: Lumen Discipline (Seattle)Fri, June 26: BC Place (Vancouver)
GROUP H1. Spain2. Cape Verde3. Saudi Arabia4. Uruguay
Mon, June 15: Exhausting Rock Stadium (Miami)Mon, June 15: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)Solar, June 21: Exhausting Rock Stadium (Miami)Solar, June 21: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)Fri, June 26: NRG Stadium (Houston)Fri, June 26: Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
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GROUP I1. France2. Senegal3. Intercontinental Playoff winner 2 (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname)4. Norway
Tue, June 16: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)Tue, June 16: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)Mon, June 22: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)Mon, June 22: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)Fri, June 26: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)Fri, June 26: BMO Discipline (Toronto)
Lionel Messi and Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions after defeating France within the 2022 last. (Photograph by Daniel Jayo/Getty Photographs)
(Daniel Jayo through Getty Photographs)
GROUP J1. Argentina2. Algeria3. Austria4. Jordan
Tue, June 16: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Metropolis, Missouri)Tue, June 16: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)Mon, June 22: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)Mon, June 22: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)Sat, June 27: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)Sat, June 27: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Metropolis, Missouri)
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GROUP K1. Portugal2. Intercontinental Playoff winner 1 (Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia)3. Uzbekistan4. Colombia
Fri, June 17: NRG Stadium (Houston)Fri, June 17: Estadio Azteca (Mexico Metropolis)Tue, June 23: NRG Stadium (Houston)Tue, June 23: Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)Sat, June 27: Exhausting Rock Stadium (Miami)Sat, June 27: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP L1. England2. Croatia3. Ghana4. Panama
Fri, June 17: BMO Discipline (Toronto)Fri, June 17: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)Tue, June 23: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)Tue, June 23: BMO Discipline (Toronto)Sat, June 27: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)Sat, June 27: Lincoln Monetary Discipline (Philadelphia)
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2026 World Cup odds
, Spain is the favourite to elevate 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 event for the second time.
England is subsequent at +600, adopted by France (+650), Brazil (+750) and reigning champion Argentina (+800).
The US is presently listed at +6600 to win the 2026 World Cup.
Who’s on this 12 months’s ‘Group of Loss of life?’
Look no additional than Group I for the 2026 version of the “Group of Loss of life.” France, Senegal, Norway and certainly one of Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq will battle it out to advance to the knockout stage.
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There are some attention-grabbing matchups in Group I. For starters, France and Senegal will meet within the opening match for each nations, which can deliver again reminiscences of when these two met on the 2002 World Cup, which noticed Senegal safe a surprising 1-0 win.
Erling Haaland will lead Norway in its first World Cup since 1998 and can present powerful opposition when it goes up in opposition to Kylian Mbappé and France in a battle of worldwide superstars.
Group L will present stiff competitors with England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Who’s prone to advance from every group?
Group A: Co-hosts Mexico are the favorites and Korea Republic have superior out of the Spherical of 16 twice since 2010. However what might change the complexion of this group is which European group emerges from the playoff.
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Group B: Host nations historically fare properly and Canada must be proud of its draw. Italy or Wales qualifying for this group might make issues attention-grabbing and doubtlessly a more durable time if solely two knockout stage spots can be found.
Group C: Brazil are overwhelming favorites to win the group, however after a proud displaying in 2022, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Morocco has developed after a semifinal run in Qatar. The Scots certified in dramatic vogue and needs to be buoyed by a fanbase that is been ready since 1998 to get again to a World Cup.
Group D: The U.S. loves its draw, going through two groups it beat in friendlies this fall. They final confronted Türkiye in June, a 2-1 defeat, however Ay-Yıldızlılar need to get via a playoff that options Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
Group E: Germany is trying to transfer previous two straight disappointing World Cups the place they did not advance out of the group stage. The final time they did that was in 2014 after they beat Lionel Messi and Argentina within the last.
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Group F: The Dutch reached the quarterfinals in 2022, however exited by the hands of eventual champion Argentina after penalties. They need to not wrestle right here. The enjoyable will come as Japan, Tunisia and playoff qualifier Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania battle it out for the second, and perhaps a 3rd, knockout spherical spot.
Group G: Belgium might not longer have a “golden era,” however they nonetheless have loads of expertise to make a run. Mohamed Salah and Egypt are again on the World Cup after final taking part in 2018. They’ve solely superior out of the group stage as soon as — 1934.
Group H: After Spain and Uruguay had been drawn first, this had “Group of Loss of life” vibes. However with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde rounding out the group, this may seemingly come down as to if a 3rd group can qualify.
Erling Haaland and Norway will participate within the nation’s first World Cup since France 1998. (Photograph by Picture Photograph Company/Getty Photographs)
(Picture Photograph Company through Getty Photographs)
Group I: The “Group of Loss of life?” Almost definitely. France ought to get via, however they are going to be challenged by Erling Haaland and Norway and Senegal, who famously beat them in 2002.
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Group J: Argentina shouldn’t have an issue getting their title protection off to a very good begin right here. Austria and Algeria will seemingly be the nations combating to see who joins Lionel Messi and Co. within the knockout spherical.
Group Okay: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have a simple path to the Spherical of 32. Colombia, after a robust displaying in CONMEBOL qualifying, needs to be advantageous, leaving Uzbekistan and certainly one of Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia on the surface.
Group L: One other potential “Group of Loss of life” has England and Croatia combating it out for the highest spot, however do not low cost Ghana, who all the time present a tricky take a look at after making 4 out of the previous 5 World Cups.
Here is how the 2026 World Cup draw performed out through our stay weblog:
Dwell protection is over71 updates
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM PST
GROUP F
Ukraine or Sweden vs. Poland or Albania
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM PST
GROUP Okay
Congo vs. New Caledonia or Jamaica
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:03 AM PST
GROUP D
Slovakia or Kosovo vs. Türkiye or Romania
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM PST
GROUP I
Iraq vs. Bolivia or Suriname
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM PST
GROUP B
Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy or Northern Eire
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM PST
GROUP A
Czech Republic or Eire vs. Denmark or North Macedonia
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM PST
Fri, December 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM PST