2026 FIFA World Cup Groups List: Complete Draw Results
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has just taken place. For the first time, 48 teams will compete instead of the usual 32. Three countries are hosting together – the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The draw took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and everyone now knows who plays who.
Some big storylines came out of this draw. England finally gets their rematch with Croatia after that painful 2018 semifinal loss.
Germany landed one of the easiest groups possible. The three host nations all avoided nightmare scenarios. But six spots are still empty because playoff matches won’t happen until March 2026.
How Many Groups in FIFA World Cup 2026?
There are 12 groups this time around. Each group has four teams just like before. The difference is that we went from eight groups to 12 groups due to the expansion.
FIFA split up all 48 teams into groups A through L. Teams play everyone in their group once. The top two move on to the knockout rounds. That gives us 24 teams advancing instead of the old 16.
The rules stay pretty simple. You can’t have more than two teams from Europe in one group. Every other continent gets one team max per group. This keeps things fair and interesting.
Which Teams Are in Which Groups? (Complete Draw Results)
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Euro Playoff D Winner |
| B | Canada, Euro Playoff A Winner, Qatar, Switzerland |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, Euro Playoff C Winner |
| E | Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Euro Playoff B Winner, Tunisia |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| I | France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2 Winner, Norway |
| J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1 Winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Mexico plays at home in Group A and got lucky with the draw. Group B gives Canada a real shot at advancing with Switzerland being their biggest worry. Brazil faces Morocco in Group C which should be interesting. The USA landed in Group D with Paraguay and Australia.
Group E is basically a free pass for Germany. Group F looks brutal with Netherlands and Japan both there. Belgium gets Group G which they should handle. Group H brings us Spain against Uruguay in what could be the group stage’s best match.
France defends their title in Group I against Senegal and Norway. Argentina starts in Group J with Algeria lurking. Portugal and Colombia square off in Group K. Group L is where the drama lives – England versus Croatia round two.
Also Check:
When will the 6 Playoff Teams be Decided?
March 2026 is when we’ll know everyone. Six teams are still fighting for their spots through playoff matches.
| Playoff Path | Teams Competing | Assigned Group |
|---|---|---|
| Euro A | Italy, Bosnia, Wales, Northern Ireland | Group B |
| Euro B | Ukraine, Poland, Albania, Sweden | Group F |
| Euro C | Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, Romania | Group D |
| Euro D | Denmark, Ireland, Czech Republic, North Macedonia | Group A |
| FIFA 1 | Jamaica, DR Congo, New Caledonia | Group K |
| FIFA 2 | Bolivia, Iraq, Suriname | Group I |
Italy missing the last World Cup was shocking. They could still make it through Euro Playoff A. Denmark in Euro Playoff D would make Mexico’s group tougher. These playoffs wrap up about three months before the tournament kicks off.
How Does the 2026 World Cup Group Stage Work?
You play three games against the other teams in your group. Win and you get three points. Draw gives you one point. Lose and you get nothing.
Top two teams move on. Everyone else goes home. Pretty straightforward stuff.
The group stage runs June 11-28, 2026. Games happen in 16 different cities across all three host countries. They schedule the last round of group games at the same time, so nobody gets an unfair advantage knowing other scores.
When is the 2026 World Cup Round of 32?
The Round of 32 starts June 29 and goes through July 3, 2026. This is new because we’ve never had 24 teams in the knockout rounds before.
It works like this: the 12 group winners play the 12 second-place teams. Win and you keep going. Lose and you’re done. After that it becomes the normal World Cup knockout format everyone knows.
Winning your group matters because you avoid other group winners early. That’s a big advantage when you’re trying to make a deep run.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups FAQs
How many teams qualify from each World Cup 2026 group?
Two teams from each group advance. First and second place move on to the Round of 32. Third and fourth place teams pack their bags and head home.
What happens if teams tie in points in their group?
Goal difference breaks the tie first. Then total goals scored. After that they look at head-to-head results. Fair play records come next. The absolute last resort is drawing lots.
Where will the 2026 World Cup group matches be played?
Sixteen cities across three countries host games. The USA has 11 cities like New York and Los Angeles. Mexico brings three cities including Mexico City. Canada adds Toronto and Vancouver.
Which is the easiest World Cup 2026 group?
Group E with Germany looks like the easiest path. They face Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. Mexico and Canada also got pretty favorable draws in Groups A and B.
Can teams from the same group meet again in the knockouts?
Not until the semifinals at the earliest. FIFA sets up the bracket so teams from the same group end up on opposite sides. You won’t see immediate rematches in the early knockout rounds.