The 2026 World Cup, in Canada, the USA and Mexico, remains months away, but we reached another major milestone in the countdown on Friday night when the draw for the finals was made. Due to various outstanding play-off fixtures, we won’t know the exact make-up of the draw for a good while yet, nor the identities of all 48 teams that will take part in what will be the biggest football World Cup ever; but we know about a solid proportion of the teams involved.
Due to the tournament’s expansion, we now have a mammoth 12 groups, from A to L, with four teams in each. Some quartets are complete, but Groups A, B, D and F will only be finalised once we know who has prevailed through the UEFA play-offs. Groups I and K also both have three nations confirmed, with the fourth in each set to be decided via the inter-confederation play-offs.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup took place in Washington on Friday, the 5th of December. It was an elongated affair which saw performances from various pop stars, while Donald Trump was presented with a made-up peace prize to keep him happy, before ending almost three hours after it began with the Village People singing YMCA.
Once the real, actual business of the draw started, that alone took almost an hour! Well, there were certainly a lot of teams to draw! The first games of the tournament will take place on the 11th of June, and the very first of all will see one of the co-hosts, Mexico, play South Africa. The game will take place at the iconic Aztec Stadium in Mexico City and the hosts will be keen to get a good start.
What of the Hosts?
Clear your calendar. The world’s biggest stage is set. 🏟️
Explore the full match schedule, including kick-off times and stadiums, on https://t.co/zJTWWlwshQ.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 7, 2025
With so many groups to consider, and half of them still waiting to be fully confirmed, rather than look at all 12 groups, we will just focus on some of the more interesting ones. The three hosts’ quartets can be seen below:
Group A – Mexico
Mexico are joined by South Africa, South Korea and whichever nation emerges from UEFA Path D. That will be the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia. Hopefully, the Republic of Ireland (or South Ireland if you prefer) can do it to complete the southern trio, alongside the most southerly nation of the host triumvirate. Whatever happens, the hosts should have an excellent chance of progressing to the next round.
Group B – Canada
The Canadians will face Qatar, Switzerland and the winner from UEFA Path A. That means Wales, Italy, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some make Switzerland dark horses in North America, so Canada could be up against it, though they will certainly fancy their chances of a top-two spot.
Group D – USA
Managed by Mauricio Pochettino, the States are up against Paraguay, Australia and the Path C winner, one of Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania. Given the draw and their ability, the USA should make the last 32, and there will certainly be questions asked if they don’t.
England Handed Tricky Group
England are one of the protected four seeds at the 2026 World Cup, along with Spain (first seed), Argentina (second) and France (third). This means that if they top their group, they could not meet France until the final, or the other pair until the semis.
They have been drawn in Group L against Croatia, who are not the force they once were, Ghana, of whom the same is true (they are ranked 72nd by FIFA) and Panama. England faced the Central American nation at the 2018 World Cup, winning 6-1 thanks to a Harry Kane hat-trick.
Scots Get Glamorous Draw and a Chance to Progress
Scotland, at their first World Cup since 1998, are drawn alongside Brazil in Group C. Managed by Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil are among the favourites, but the Scots will fancy their chances alongside Morocco, who were also in their 1998 group, and minnows Haiti.
What of the Other Big Guns?
As things stand, the four seeded nations mentioned earlier occupy the top four places in the bookmakers’ odds. They range from Spain at 5/1 to Argentina at 17/2, with Brazil, Germany and Portugal the other nations priced at odds shorter than 20/1.
Spain – Group H
Spain are the dominant force in world football now, across age-group football and in both the men’s and women’s games. They are joined in the group phase by Uruguay, managed by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde, the latter of whom are making their debut at the World Cup.
France – Group I
This looks like the group of death at this tournament, with Kylian Mbappe and co joined by Erling Haaland’s Norway, a very decent Senegal side, and the winner of IC Path 2 (probably Iraq, but possibly Bolivia or Suriname). Norway are tipped as dark horses by some, and with Haaland, Odegaard and a strong core that play at big European sides, they could surprise a few people.
Argentina – Group J
The defending champions are joined by Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and should top the group with room to spare.
Germany – Group E
The Germans are in Group E, along with minnows Curacao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Germany, who topped qualification Group A with five wins and one defeat, will be big favourites to top the pile.
Portugal – Group K
Ronaldo will make his final World Cup appearances, surely, at this tournament. His side has been drawn alongside debutants Uzbekistan, Colombia, and IC Path 1 qualifier (DR Congo will meet the winner of Jamaica v New Caledonia to decide that).