FIFA World Cup 2026: Check out the complete draw
What's the story
The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been revealed. The event was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Ahead of the ceremony, USA president Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. In terms of the draw, FIFA World Cup holders Argentina have been placed in Group J alongside the likes of Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. Meanwhile, the opening match of the tournament will be between Mexico and South Africa. Here's more.
Visa issues
FIFA World Cup 2026: Here are the 12 groups
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Republic of Ireland/Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Wales/Northern Ireland/Italy/Bosnia-Herzegovina Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Poland/Ukraine/Sweden/Albania Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq or Bolivia/Suriname Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo or Jamaica/New Caledonia Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
England
Tuchel's England to open campaign against Croatia
England, who have been the runners-up in the last two UEFA European Championships, will open their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 in Dallas or Toronto. The Three Lions managed by Thomas Tuchel will also face Panama (June 23) and Ghana (June 27) in the group stages. England are in Group L and are set to play in three of these cities: Toronto, Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, as per Sky Sports News.
Information
Scotland to take on Brazil
Scotland, who qualified for the FIFA World Cup after 28 years, will open their campaign against Haiti on June 13, in Boston or New York. This will be followed by matches against Morocco and Brazil in Group C.
Do you know?
All eyes on defending champions Argentina
Argentina will return as the defending champions. They went on to boss the CONMEBOL qualifying group in South America. Argentina will start their title defense against Algeria.
Details
A look at the key details
The 2026 World Cup is set to be a 48-team competition, up from 32. The tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19. Of the 48 teams involved, 42 have made the cut for the tournament. Six more spots will be determined by series of playoff matches next spring. The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups of four teams. Based on the latest FIFA rankings, the teams were arranged into four pots.
Pots
What did the pots look like ahead of the draw?
Pot 1: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany. Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia. Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa. Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A, B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2.
Twitter Post
Stage set for the biggest tournament!
The stage is set. Who triumphs? 🏆@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/21qBVC6KlE
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2025