The stage is set for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history after the official draw for the 2026 tournament was conducted. The expanded 48-team competition, to be hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, now has its initial group stage matchups confirmed, with intriguing ties for the home nations.
Group Stage Drama for Home Nations
England have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, setting up a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, Scotland will face a monumental challenge in Group C against five-time champions Brazil, as well as Morocco and Haiti. The new format sees 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group automatically advancing to the knockout phase. They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams, creating a 32-team knockout bracket.
Historic Venues and Tournament Schedule
The tournament will kick off on 11 June 2026 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a stadium steeped in World Cup lore. It was the scene of Diego Maradona's famous 'Hand of God' goal against England in 1986 and has hosted two legendary finals. The competition will conclude with the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, on 19 July 2026.
In terms of host nations, Mexico and Canada will each stage 13 matches. The United States will be the primary host, staging 78 games, including every match from the quarter-final stage onwards. The exact fixture dates, kick-off times, and specific venue allocations for each match are scheduled to be confirmed imminently.
The Complete 2026 World Cup Draw
The full list of groups drawn for the first 48-team World Cup is as follows:
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D
- Group B: Canada, UEFA Playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C
- Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Playoff B, Tunisia
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2, Norway
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- Group K: Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
With the draw now complete, fans and teams can begin plotting their path to glory in a World Cup that promises to be the most geographically expansive and numerically grand in the sport's long history.
