Full Groups Confirmed as FIFA Conducts 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington

Full Groups Confirmed as FIFA Conducts 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington

By Admin 

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition to feature 48 teams, has been completed, offering fans a full glimpse of the matchups set to unfold across host nations United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Sixteen stadiums will stage the expanded competition, including five venues regularly used by Major League Soccer clubs. The opening match will take place on June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, where co-hosts Mexico will face South Africa in Group A.

Draw Ceremony in Washington, DC

The draw was conducted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, featuring appearances by global sports figures and FIFA legends such as Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky.

Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, selected Canada as the first team in Group B. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum placed Mexico in Group A, while U.S. President Donald Trump drew the United States into Group D. Remaining teams were assigned by FIFA officials and invited celebrities.

Key Matchups on the Horizon

England headline Group L, where they will meet Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Their opener is a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia on June 17, followed by Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27.

The United States will start their Group D campaign against Australia, while Brazil’s Group C fixtures pit them against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Defending champions Argentina enter Group J alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. France leads Group I, facing Senegal, Norway, and an intercontinental playoff qualifier.

Full Group Breakdown

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, European Playoff D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)

Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, European Playoff A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, European Playoff C (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European Playoff B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Intercontinental Playoff 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq)

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Intercontinental Playoff 1 (DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia), Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Tournament Schedule

Group Stage: June 11–27

Round of 32: June 28–July 3

Round of 16: July 4–7

Quarterfinals: July 9–11

Semifinals: July 14–15

Third-Place Playoff: July 18

Final: July 19

Playoffs Still to Come

Several qualifying positions remain undecided ahead of the tournament.

UEFA Playoffs: Sixteen teams will compete for four remaining European slots. Single-leg semi-finals are scheduled for March 26, 2026, with the finals on March 31.

Inter-Confederation Playoffs: Six teams from various regions will compete in Mexico on March 26 and March 31, 2026. Two winners will secure the final World Cup berths.