Live Today Match
Groups
The draw in Washington, D.C. gave us the exact shape of the biggest group stage in tournament history. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially a 48-team, 12-group gauntlet.
With the playoffs over, the brackets are locked. No more "Playoff Winner A" placeholders. We know exactly who is playing who.
What we ended up with is a mix of heavy favorites, terrifying dark horses, and a couple of groups that look like pure chaos. Keep an eye on the standings from day one, because goal difference is going to matter more than ever before.
We've got 12 groups of four. You play the other three teams in your group. That part is classic World Cup. But the way you survive has completely changed.
The top two teams in each group automatically advance. But because we now have a Round of 32, the eight best third-place teams across all groups also move on.
Here is the final, confirmed draw for all 12 groups, including our read on how each section might play out.
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group A is an absolute powder keg. Mexico sits as the emotional favorite, but South Korea and the Czech Republic bring the kind of tactical discipline that destroys host nation dreams.
Throw in the fearless, high-speed counter-attacking of South Africa, and you have a group where literally any result is possible. The opening night will set an explosive tone for the entire tournament.
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group B is a fascinating, perfectly balanced tactical puzzle. Switzerland is the undisputed heavyweight, but Canada’s host-nation adrenaline injects a massive dose of volatility into the mix.
With Bosnia’s bruising physicality and Qatar’s point-to-prove mentality, there are absolutely no easy points here. It’s a classic World Cup grind where every single match is going to be a trench war.
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group C is absolute box office. You have the ultimate aristocrats in Brazil, the new elite in Morocco, the bruising physicality of Scotland, and the fearless joy of Haiti. It is a stunning clash of styles.
This is not a group where anyone can afford to coast. Every match is loaded with narrative, and the battle for the top two spots is going to be played at a terrifying intensity.
USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group D is an absolute tactical bloodbath. The United States has the talent and the home crowd, but Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye represent three completely different—and equally terrifying—styles of football.
This is a group where pure athleticism meets the dark arts, and unyielding structure clashes with total chaos. One slip-up from the hosts, and the entire section will turn into a free-for-all.
Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group E looks like a straightforward coronation for Germany, but scratch the surface and it’s a minefield. Ivory Coast and Ecuador both bring a level of speed and physicality that can deeply unsettle even the best European sides.
Add in the totally unknown, fearless energy of debutants Curacao, and you have a group where the battle for the second qualification spot is going to be an absolute war.
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group F is a tactical chess match played at the highest level. The Netherlands are the aristocrats, but Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia are three of the most organized, defensively stubborn teams in the entire competition.
There will be no easy goals in this section. Expect incredibly tight, low-scoring affairs where a single moment of individual magic or a perfectly executed set-piece decides the fate of the entire group.
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group G looks like a coronation for Belgium on paper, but the reality is going to be a brutal, agonizing grind. Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand all possess the defensive structure to turn every single match into a trench war.
Do not expect free-flowing, beautiful football in this section. Expect heavy tackles, frantic set-pieces, and a group where one goal could be the difference between first place and absolute disaster.
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group H is a spectacular clash of footballing philosophies. You have Spain's hypnotic possession, Uruguay's brutal pragmatism, Saudi Arabia's chaotic aggression, and Cape Verde's fearless joy.
While Spain and Uruguay are the undeniable heavyweights, the sheer unpredictability of the underdogs guarantees this group will be an absolute rollercoaster from matchday one.
France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group I is an absolute heavyweight slugfest. France is the reigning superpower, but Senegal and Norway bring a terrifying level of physical and attacking power that makes this the clear 'Group of Death'.
Iraq adds an element of pure emotional chaos to a section already overflowing with elite talent. There is no place to hide here; every single match is going to be a war.
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group J is an absolute thriller. You have the defending world champions, the emotional volatility of Algeria, the relentless Austrian pressing machine, and the fearless joy of Jordan.
This is not a coronation for Argentina; it is a brutal gauntlet. Every single match is going to be played at a terrifying intensity, and absolutely nothing will come easy.
Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group K is a brilliant, totally unpredictable clash of continents. Portugal and Colombia are the undeniable heavyweights, but DR Congo’s physicality and Uzbekistan’s debutant fearlessness make this a minefield.
There is absolutely zero margin for error here. Every single team possesses a unique weapon capable of destroying the other, guaranteeing an incredibly volatile qualification race.
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Group L is a fascinating, brutal clash of styles. England and Croatia represent the European elite, but Ghana’s explosive speed and Panama’s unyielding dark arts guarantee there will be no easy nights.
This is a group where tactical discipline will be violently tested. One moment of individual brilliance or one chaotic set-piece could completely rewrite the entire table.
Group C is brutal. Brazil and Morocco are both heavyweights, and neither Scotland nor Haiti are teams you can just walk over. If you want a group where every single touch matters, this is the one to watch.
Group I is equally terrifying. France, Senegal, and Norway all have the firepower to make deep runs. Throw Iraq into the mix, and you've got a tactical nightmare.
FIFA World Cup 2026 has 12 groups, labeled Group A through Group L. Each group contains four teams, which means the tournament opens with a 48-team group stage before moving into the new Round of 32.
The top two teams in each group qualify automatically, which sends 24 teams forward. The eight best third-place teams across all 12 groups also advance, taking the knockout field to 32 teams in total.
Argentina are in Group J. Their section also includes Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, which gives the defending champions a group with quality, pressure, and very different football styles.
England are in Group L. They have been drawn with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, which creates a group full of tournament experience and the kind of matches that could become very competitive quickly.
The group stage starts on June 11, 2026 and ends on June 27, 2026. That window covers all three matchdays for every group before the competition moves into the Round of 32 on June 28.
Group C and Group I are the clearest candidates because both contain heavyweight teams and dangerous outsiders. Group C has Brazil and Morocco, while Group I combines France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq.