The groups for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup have been officially announced following a draw held on Friday in Washington, D.C. This tournament will showcase 48 teams, with six still yet to qualify, divided into 12 groups. The event is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, featuring a match between South Africa and Mexico, marking a historic moment as the tournament will take place across three countries: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This edition of the World Cup will also see a new format, where the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will progress to the knockout stage.
The groups have been designated as follows:
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Playoff D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, Ireland)
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff A (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, UEFA Playoff C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo)
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B (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 Playoff 2 (Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Playoff 1 (DR Congo, Jamaica, New Caledonia)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
The 2026 World Cup draw was a significant event, coinciding with FIFA's ceremonial awarding of its first peace prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. This moment drew considerable attention as Infantino presented Trump with a large gold-colored trophy and a medal that he proudly wore around his neck. The presentation took place under a light snowfall at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, creating a wintry atmosphere as the world eagerly awaits the grand tournament.
Attendees included prominent figures such as Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, adding a diplomatic layer to the festivities. A red carpet was laid out for the occasion, further highlighting the event. The draw ceremony was supported by retired sports stars, including NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, NHL icon Wayne Gretzky, and three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, with the proceedings led by former England captain Rio Ferdinand.
The tournament is not only a sporting event but also a moment in history, being the first World Cup hosted in three nations. The matches will span from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The USA, which has a rich soccer history, notably reached the semifinals in the first World Cup held in 1930 and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2002. The USA's opening match is scheduled for June 12, 2026, in Inglewood, California, while Canada will begin its campaign in Toronto.
As excitement builds, it is confirmed that all quarterfinal matches will take place in various stadiums across the United States, with 11 NFL venues designated for use. Specific sites and kickoff times for the games are set to be announced, promising an exhilarating experience for soccer fans around the globe.
