2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw Results: Full Groups Set

The 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw Results are now official after FIFA conducted the final draw on December 5, 2025 at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The ceremony confirmed all 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mexico will open the World Cup against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, while defending champions Argentina start their title defense in Group J.

A total of 42 nations already qualified directly, with six remaining places reserved for UEFA and inter-confederation playoff winners that will be decided in March 2026. The new format keeps four-team groups but adds a round of 32, meaning more knockout football and more opportunities for debutant nations such as Curaçao, Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan.

Full 2026 World Cup group stage draw results

The draw produced 12 groups of four teams, each containing one side from Pots 1 to 4. Hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States were pre-assigned to Groups A, B and D, and will play all their group matches on home soil. The remaining teams were drawn according to FIFA’s seeding rules and confederation limits, with six slots reserved for playoff winners.

Here are the confirmed 2026 World Cup group stage draw results, including placeholders for playoff winners:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic (South Korea), Winner of European Playoff D (one of Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, Republic of Ireland)
• Group B: Canada, Winner of European Playoff A (one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of European Playoff C (one of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo)
• Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of European Playoff B (one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania), Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of Intercontinental Playoff Tournament 2 (one of Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq), Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, Winner of Intercontinental Playoff Tournament 1 (one of Jamaica, New Caledonia, DR Congo), Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

These groupings are consistent with FIFA’s draw procedures and the breakdown published by MLS and national associations soon after the event. The European playoff winners and two inter-confederation playoff winners will complete the field in March 2026, but their positions in the groups are already fixed by the draw.

The tournament remains a four-team group format, but the knockout phase has expanded. The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides will reach a 32-team knockout round. In total, the 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA will unveil the detailed match schedule with kick-off times and venues assigned to each specific fixture in a global broadcast on December 6, 2025.

Hosts, heavyweights and debutants in the 2026 World Cup groups

The draw offered mixed outcomes for the three host nations. Mexico’s Group A pairing with South Africa and Korea Republic looks competitive but manageable, with the European Playoff D winner likely deciding just how tough the section becomes. Canada’s Group B includes Qatar, Switzerland and the European Playoff A winner, where a giant such as Italy or Wales could turn it into a demanding path. The United States in Group D faces Paraguay, Australia and the European Playoff C winner, which could add Türkiye or Romania to an already balanced group.

Several groups stand out as early candidates for “group of death” status. Group C pits five-time champions Brazil against 2022 semifinalists Morocco, with Haiti and Scotland adding contrasting styles and strong support. Group L brings together England, Croatia and Ghana, three nations with deep tournament experience, along with a Panama side that often thrives in underdog roles. Group E is notable as well, pairing four-time winners Germany with debutants Curaçao and strong African representative Côte d’Ivoire, plus Ecuador from South America.

Defending champions Argentina received an intriguing assignment in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Algeria and Austria both have rich football history, while Jordan’s first World Cup appearance adds a high-motivation wildcard to the group. Portugal in Group K must navigate Colombia, Uzbekistan and an intercontinental playoff winner, while France in Group I faces African champions Senegal, Norway and another playoff qualifier from a Bolivia–Suriname–Iraq mini-tournament.

Debutant nations are spread across the draw, highlighting FIFA’s expanded 48-team format. Cape Verde joins Spain and Uruguay in Group H, Curaçao meets Germany in Group E, Jordan faces Argentina in Group J and Uzbekistan will test itself against Portugal and Colombia in Group K. For these teams, simply reaching the round of 32 would mark a historic achievement, yet the compressed three-game group stage can create surprises if established powers start slowly.

The 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw Results confirm the path to the first 48-team World Cup, locking in 12 varied and often demanding groups. With six playoff winners still to be added and the full match schedule to be assigned, coaches and supporters now have a clear picture of what awaits next summer. The focus from here shifts to March’s playoffs, final squad planning and a North American tournament that is already shaping up as one of the most complex World Cups in history.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What are the full 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw Results?

The 2026 World Cup draw produced 12 groups of four teams, from Group A to Group L. Forty-two qualified nations were placed, and six playoff winners will fill the remaining spots. Hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States were placed in Groups A, B and D respectively.

Q2: Which group are the USA, Mexico and Canada in at the 2026 World Cup?

Mexico are in Group A alongside South Africa, Korea Republic and the winner of European Playoff D. Canada are in Group B with Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of European Playoff A. The United States are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of European Playoff C.

Q3: Who will Argentina face in the 2026 World Cup group stage?

Defending champions Argentina are in Group J. They will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group phase. Their group winner will likely be favored to reach the latter stages, but all three opponents have strong incentive to spoil the title defense.

Q4: How does the new 48-team 2026 World Cup format work?

The tournament uses 12 groups of four teams each. The top two in every group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new round of 32, followed by the usual knockout rounds. This creates 104 matches in total, with each team guaranteed at least three games.

Q5: When does the 2026 World Cup start and where is the opening match?

The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11, 2026. Mexico will host the opening match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament ends with the final on July 19, 2026 in the New York–New Jersey area.