The full match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unveiled today, providing England and Scotland with the precise times and venues for their group stage battles. This follows a lengthy and at times chaotic draw ceremony held on Friday, 6th December 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Chaos and Ceremony at the Kennedy Center
The draw event, helmed by former England defender Rio Ferdinand, was a complex and drawn-out affair. It featured speeches from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a controversial moment where a newly-created peace prize was awarded to US President Donald Trump. A performance by Robbie Williams punctuated the evening, which was ultimately defined by a complicated draw process and a stream of questionable jokes from the host.
Despite the ceremony's quirks, the fundamental outcomes for the Home Nations were confirmed. England discovered they will face Croatia, Panama, and Ghana in Group L. Scotland, returning to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, were handed a formidable Group C, containing Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti.
England's Path in North America
Gareth Southgate's successor, Thomas Tuchel, will lead an England side considered among the favourites for the trophy, which will be lifted in New Jersey on 19th July 2026. Their campaign begins with a tough opener against Croatia on 17th June, a nation that famously knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage. The venue will be either Toronto or Dallas, with the final location confirmed today.
Their other group fixtures present a mix of familiarity and novelty. England thrashed Panama 6-1 during the 2018 group stages, but they have never faced Ghana in a competitive match before.
Scotland's Daunting Return to the World Stage
For Scotland, managed by Steve Clarke, qualification for this expanded 48-nation tournament was secured in dramatic fashion with two stoppage-time goals against Denmark. Their reward is a glamorous but daunting opener against five-time champions Brazil. Their group also contains Morocco, a semi-finalist from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Haiti, who are making their first World Cup appearance since 1976.
The exact schedule for Scotland's first World Cup match in 28 years will be finalised today, as FIFA confirms the times and specific stadiums across the USA, Canada, and Mexico for all 104 matches.
With powerhouses like Spain, France, Germany, and reigning champions Argentina also in the mix, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a spectacular and unpredictable festival of football across North America. Fans of England and Scotland can now begin planning in earnest as the final pieces of the fixture puzzle fall into place.
