The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw has officially concluded, unveiling the group stage matchups for the first-ever 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The event took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., featuring performances, football legends, and a ceremonial unveiling of what promises to be the biggest World Cup yet.
The tournament will kick off on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for 19 July 2026 in New Jersey.
Format of World Cup 2026
- Teams: 48
- Groups: 12 (Groups A to L)
- Teams per Group: 4
- Knockout Qualification: Top 2 teams + 8 best third-placed teams advance to Round of 32
- Total Matches: 104 across 16 cities in USA, Canada, and Mexico
All 12 Groups of FIFA World Cup 2026
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Republic of Korea
- UEFA Play-off D winner
Group B
- Canada
- UEFA Play-off A winner
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Group D
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- UEFA Play-off C winner
Group E
- Germany
- Curacao
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ecuador
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- UEFA Play-off B winner
- Tunisia
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Cabo Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- FIFA Play-off 2 winner
- Norway
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- FIFA Play-off 1 winner
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
Key Fixtures to Watch
- Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa (11 June 2026)
- Group C Clash: Brazil vs Morocco
- Group I Opener: France vs Senegal
- Potential Quarterfinal: Argentina vs Portugal – setting the stage for a Messi vs Ronaldo showdown
- Group of Death: Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama
Schedule Overview
- Group Stage: 11 June – Early July
- Round of 32: Mid-July
- Final: 19 July 2026 – New Jersey
Expect daily fixtures across North America, with group-stage games spread to allow maximum global engagement and travel flexibility for fans.
Entertainment and Ceremony
- Performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger
- Hosting duties by Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart
- Appearances by legends like Roberto Carlos, Lionel Scaloni, and Carli Lloyd
- Opening segment featured the World Cup trophy and tributes to previous tournaments
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