World Cup 2026 Draw Results: Complete Group Stage Breakdown for the Historic 48-Team Tournament
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on December 5, 2025, revealing the complete group stage matchups for the largest World Cup in history with 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tournament Overview
June 11 – July 19
Tournament Dates 2026
Tournament Dates 2026
104
Total Matches
Total Matches
48
Qualified Nations
Qualified Nations
16
Host Cities
Host Cities
🏆 Draw Ceremony Key Facts
DATE: December 5, 2025
LOCATION: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.
HISTORIC FIRST: First 48-team World Cup draw in tournament history
WORLD CUP FINAL: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on July 19, 2026
Complete Group Stage Draw Results
The draw ceremony unveiled 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a new 32-team knockout round. Four nations will make their World Cup debut: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
Group A – Mexico 🇲🇽
🇲🇽
Mexico (Host)
El Tri opens the entire tournament at Estadio Azteca on June 11, continuing their proud World Cup hosting legacy from 1970 and 1986.
🇿🇦
South Africa
The 2010 World Cup hosts return to the tournament, facing Mexico in the historic opening match.
🇰🇷
Korea Republic
Asian powerhouse seeking to replicate their historic 2002 semi-final run as co-hosts.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off D
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
Group B – Canada 🇨🇦
🇨🇦
Canada (Host)
The Maple Leafs open at BMO Field in Toronto on June 12, riding momentum from their 2022 World Cup return after 36 years.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off A
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
🇶🇦
Qatar
The 2022 World Cup hosts look to improve on their home tournament performance.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Consistent European qualifiers with recent knockout round success in major tournaments.
Group C – Brazil 🇧🇷
🇧🇷
Brazil
Five-time World Cup champions and perennial favorites seeking their sixth title.
🇲🇦
Morocco
History-makers from 2022 as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
🇭🇹
Haiti
Caribbean nation returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
🏴
Scotland
The Tartan Army seeking their first World Cup knockout round appearance since 1998.
Group D – United States 🇺🇸
🇺🇸
United States (Host)
The USMNT opens against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, with Christian Pulisic leading a golden generation.
🇵🇾
Paraguay
South American qualifiers returning to the World Cup stage with renewed ambition.
🇦🇺
Australia
The Socceroos face the USA in Seattle, building on their 2022 Round of 16 appearance.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off C
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
Group E – Germany 🇩🇪
🇩🇪
Germany
Four-time World Cup champions seeking redemption after recent early exits.
🇨🇼
Curaçao ⭐
WORLD CUP DEBUT – Caribbean island nation making history in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
🇨🇮
Côte d’Ivoire
African powerhouse returning with a new generation of talented players.
🇪🇨
Ecuador
South American qualifiers with a young, dynamic squad continuing their recent World Cup success.
Group F – Netherlands 🇳🇱
🇳🇱
Netherlands
The Oranje, three-time World Cup finalists, seeking their elusive first title.
🇯🇵
Japan
Asian giants who shocked Germany and Spain in 2022, now consistent World Cup contenders.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off B
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
🇹🇳
Tunisia
North African representatives with a strong tactical identity and passionate fanbase.
Group G – Belgium 🇧🇪
🇧🇪
Belgium
Former world No. 1 entering a transitional period with emerging young talents.
🇪🇬
Egypt
African giants returning to the World Cup with Mohamed Salah leading the charge.
🇮🇷
Iran
Asia’s most consistent World Cup qualifiers with a disciplined tactical approach.
🇳🇿
New Zealand
Oceania champions representing the region on football’s biggest stage.
Group H – Spain 🇪🇸
🇪🇸
Spain
Current World No. 1 and 2010 champions, favorites to lift their second title.
🇨🇻
Cabo Verde ⭐
WORLD CUP DEBUT – Island nation of 500,000 people making history against the world’s best.
🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia
The team that stunned Argentina in 2022 looking to create more World Cup magic.
🇺🇾
Uruguay
Two-time World Cup champions with a proud footballing tradition and tactical excellence.
Group I – France 🇫🇷
🇫🇷
France
2018 World Cup champions and 2022 finalists, led by Kylian Mbappé in his prime.
🇸🇳
Senegal
2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions and Round of 16 regulars.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off 2
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
🇳🇴
Norway
Nordic nation featuring Erling Haaland returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Group J – Argentina 🇦🇷
🇦🇷
Argentina
Defending World Cup champions seeking back-to-back titles with Lionel Messi in potentially his final World Cup.
🇩🇿
Algeria
North African contenders returning to the World Cup with a talented squad.
🇦🇹
Austria
Central European qualifiers with a technically gifted roster and tactical discipline.
🇯🇴
Jordan ⭐
WORLD CUP DEBUT – 2023 Asian Cup finalists making their historic first World Cup appearance.
Group K – Portugal 🇵🇹
🇵🇹
Portugal
Euro 2016 champions with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially in his final World Cup alongside rising stars.
🏳️
Winner Play-Off 1
To be determined in March 2026 playoff matches.
🇺🇿
Uzbekistan ⭐
WORLD CUP DEBUT – Central Asian nation achieving their decades-long dream of World Cup qualification.
🇨🇴
Colombia
South American qualifiers with an exciting attacking style and passionate fanbase.
Group L – England 🏴
🏴
England
Perennial contenders seeking their first World Cup title since 1966, recent Euro and World Cup finalists.
🇭🇷
Croatia
2018 World Cup finalists and 2022 third-place finishers with Luka Modrić’s final tournament.
🇬🇭
Ghana
African contenders with a rich World Cup history including 2010 quarter-final heartbreak.
🇵🇦
Panama
CONCACAF qualifiers building on their historic 2018 World Cup debut appearance.
Groups of Death: The Toughest Draws
Several groups stand out for their competitive balance and the quality of teams drawn together, setting up intense battles for knockout round qualification from the very first matchday.
⚡ Most Challenging Groups
Group H (Spain): World No. 1 Spain faces two-time champions Uruguay, plus debutants Cabo Verde and the giant-killing Saudi Arabia who stunned Argentina in 2022
Group L (England): England draws 2018 finalists Croatia, the always-dangerous Ghana, and resilient Panama in a group with no easy matches
Group C (Brazil): Five-time champions Brazil face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, resurgent Haiti, and the passionate Scottish Tartan Army
Group F (Netherlands): The Oranje face Japan, who shocked Germany and Spain in 2022, plus Tunisia and a European playoff winner
History in the Making: Four World Cup Debutants
The 2026 World Cup will witness history as four nations step onto football’s biggest stage for the very first time, representing the beautiful game’s expanding global reach and the opportunities created by the expanded 48-team format.
First-Time World Cup Nations
🇨🇻
Cabo Verde (Group H)
Population: Approximately 500,000 people
Confederation: CAF (Africa)
Historic Achievement: Smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup
Challenge: Opens against world No. 1 Spain in group of death
Confederation: CAF (Africa)
Historic Achievement: Smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup
Challenge: Opens against world No. 1 Spain in group of death
🇨🇼
Curaçao (Group E)
Population: Approximately 150,000 people
Confederation: CONCACAF (North/Central America)
Historic Achievement: Caribbean island nation reaches World Cup
Challenge: Faces four-time champions Germany in group stage
Confederation: CONCACAF (North/Central America)
Historic Achievement: Caribbean island nation reaches World Cup
Challenge: Faces four-time champions Germany in group stage
🇯🇴
Jordan (Group J)
Population: Approximately 11 million people
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
Recent Success: 2023 Asian Cup finalists
Challenge: Drawn against defending champions Argentina
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
Recent Success: 2023 Asian Cup finalists
Challenge: Drawn against defending champions Argentina
🇺🇿
Uzbekistan (Group K)
Population: Approximately 35 million people
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
Historic Achievement: Decades-long dream finally realized
Challenge: Faces Portugal and Colombia in competitive group
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
Historic Achievement: Decades-long dream finally realized
Challenge: Faces Portugal and Colombia in competitive group
Host Nations: What to Expect
The three host nations each received favorable draws, setting up exciting home tournaments with genuine chances to make deep runs in front of passionate home crowds across North America.
Host Nation Outlook
🇺🇸
United States (Group D)
Opening Match: vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (June 12)
Second Match: vs Australia in Seattle
Assessment: Favorable draw sets up potential deep tournament run for Christian Pulisic and the golden generation
Second Match: vs Australia in Seattle
Assessment: Favorable draw sets up potential deep tournament run for Christian Pulisic and the golden generation
🇲🇽
Mexico (Group A)
Opening Match: vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca (June 11 – Tournament Opener)
Group Opponents: South Korea, European playoff winner
Assessment: Manageable group with familiar opponents, historic home advantage at Azteca
Group Opponents: South Korea, European playoff winner
Assessment: Manageable group with familiar opponents, historic home advantage at Azteca
🇨🇦
Canada (Group B)
Opening Match: at BMO Field, Toronto (June 12)
Group Opponents: Switzerland, Qatar, European playoff winner
Assessment: Genuine chance to advance from group stage in front of home supporters
Group Opponents: Switzerland, Qatar, European playoff winner
Assessment: Genuine chance to advance from group stage in front of home supporters
A Star-Studded Draw Ceremony
The draw ceremony itself was a spectacular production befitting the world’s biggest sporting event, combining entertainment star power with legendary athletes and historic political significance.
🎭 Ceremony Highlights
Hosts: Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum led the evening’s proceedings
Draw Assistants: Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O’Neal, and Aaron Judge helped draw teams from pots
Musical Performances: Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli delivered a stunning performance; Robbie Williams performed the official FIFA anthem
Historic Political Moment: All three host nation leaders attended together – U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Significance: The joint attendance underscored the unprecedented tri-nation collaboration hosting the tournament
Tournament Format Explained
The 2026 World Cup introduces an expanded format that brings more nations, more matches, and more drama than ever before in World Cup history, fundamentally changing how teams qualify from the group stage.
New 48-Team Format
📊
Group Stage Structure
Groups: 12 groups of 4 teams each
Matches Per Group: 6 matches (each team plays 3)
Advancement: Top 2 from each group qualify automatically
Third Place: 8 best third-placed teams also advance
Total Qualifiers: 32 teams reach knockout round
Matches Per Group: 6 matches (each team plays 3)
Advancement: Top 2 from each group qualify automatically
Third Place: 8 best third-placed teams also advance
Total Qualifiers: 32 teams reach knockout round
🏆
Knockout Rounds
Round of 32: New round featuring all 32 qualified teams
Round of 16: Traditional knockout stage continues
Quarter-finals: 8 teams remaining
Semi-finals: 4 teams compete for final spots
Final: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (July 19, 2026)
Round of 16: Traditional knockout stage continues
Quarter-finals: 8 teams remaining
Semi-finals: 4 teams compete for final spots
Final: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (July 19, 2026)
Key Dates to Remember
December 6, 2025: Full match schedule release with dates, times, and venues for all 104 matches
March 2026: Playoff matches determine final 6 teams to complete 48-nation field
June 11, 2026: Tournament kicks off with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca
June 12, 2026: USA and Canada open their home tournaments
July 19, 2026: World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has set the stage for the greatest celebration of football the world has ever seen, with 48 nations competing across 104 matches in 16 cities spanning three countries.
From the historic debutants representing the expanding global reach of the beautiful game to the established powers seeking glory on North American soil, from the groups of death promising intense competition to the favorable draws giving host nations genuine hope for deep runs, the stage is now set for seven weeks of unforgettable football. With the complete match schedule releasing December 6, 2025, and playoff matches in March 2026 determining the final six teams, the countdown to June 11, 2026, and Mexico’s tournament-opening match at the legendary Estadio Azteca has officially begun.