The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, held in Washington D.C. on December 5, revealed the 12 groups for the 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Hosts drew favorable groups, while matchups like England vs. Croatia and Brazil vs. Morocco highlight potential early clashes. The event also featured U.S. President Donald Trump receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
2026 World Cup Groups Unveiled
The draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center divided 42 qualified teams into 12 groups of four, with six spots to be filled by March playoffs. The tournament begins June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, echoing their 1-1 draw in the 2010 opener. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D winner (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, or Republic of Ireland).
Group B: Canada, UEFA Playoff A winner (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina), Qatar, Switzerland.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C winner (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo).
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Playoff B winner (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania), Tunisia.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2 winner (Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname), Norway.
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
Group K: Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1 winner (DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia), Uzbekistan, Colombia.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Hosts' Paths and Key Matchups
The U.S. opens Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by Australia on June 19 in Seattle and a playoff winner on June 25 back in Inglewood. Mexico's Group A includes familiar foes South Korea and South Africa. Canada faces Switzerland and Qatar in Group B, plus a playoff team.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel called Group L 'difficult,' noting Croatia's 2018 semifinal win over his side and Ghana's talent. 'Nobody should be underestimated,' Tuchel said post-draw. Brazil vs. Morocco in Group C revives the 2022 semifinal where Morocco upset the five-time champions en route to fourth place.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, face Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan in Group J. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo, meets Colombia, Uzbekistan, and a playoff winner in Group K. France's Group I features Senegal, a 2002 upset winner over the French, and Norway's Erling Haaland.
The top two teams per group advance, plus the eight best third-placers, to a round of 32. All quarterfinals onward are in the U.S.
FIFA Peace Prize and Ceremony Highlights
FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Trump the first Peace Prize, praising his 'exceptional actions for peace.' Trump called it 'one of the great honors of my life,' crediting his administration with resolving conflicts. Celebrities including Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, and Andrea Bocelli attended, with performances by Robbie Williams and the Village People closing the event.
