Holders Argentina and European giants Spain have been handed relatively comfortable group draws for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a star-studded ceremony held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
The event also saw U.S. President Donald Trump receive FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize.
The draw officially kick-starts the countdown to the first-ever 48-team World Cup, set to begin in six months across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Defending champions Argentina will begin their title defence in Group J, where they face Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan. Spain, the reigning European champions, headline Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.
England, coached by Thomas Tuchel, are tipped to top Group L, which includes 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Two-time world champions France face a more challenging Group I featuring Senegal, Erling Haaland’s Norway, and a playoff winner from Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
The expanded 2026 tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, will feature 104 matches 40 more than the 64 played in Qatar 2022 with 16 host cities across the three North American nations.
The ceremony, co-hosted by Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart, featured performances by Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, and the Village People, with appearances from sports icons including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal.
President Trump, honoured with FIFA’s Peace Prize by Gianni Infantino, praised the collaboration among the host nations and declared the U.S. the hottest country anywhere in the world.
Opening Match: Co-hosts Mexico will face South Africa on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
-
Group C: Brazil and surprise 2022 semi-finalists Morocco meet again, joined by Scotland and Haiti.
-
Group E: Germany will battle Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curacao.
-
Group K: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal face Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a playoff entrant.
-
Qualification: The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides will advance to the last 32.
Infantino described the upcoming tournament as 104 Super Bowls in one month, calling it the greatest event ever organized by FIFA.
Full match schedules and kickoff times will be announced on Saturday.
FULL GROUP LIST — 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Qualifier
Group B
Canada, Qualifier, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D
United States, Paraguay, Australia, Qualifier
Group E
Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Qualifier, Tunisia
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I
France, Senegal, Qualifier, Norway
Group J
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K
Portugal, Qualifier, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
