The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. For the first time in history, 48 teams split across 12 groups will compete for a place in the Round of 32. From the defending champions Argentina in Group J to four debut nations stepping onto the world stage, every group tells its own story.
This is your complete guide to all 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 groups.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage: Key Numbers at a Glance
- Total Groups: 12 (A through L)
- Teams Per Group: 4
- Teams That Advance: Top 2 from each group + 8 best third-placed
- Teams Eliminated: 1 per group (12 total)
- Group Stage Matches: 48
- Group Stage Dates: June 11 – June 27, 2026
- Tournament Final: July 19, 2026
- Host Nations: USA, Canada, Mexico
- Draw Location: Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
- Draw Date: December 5, 2025
How Does the World Cup 2026 Group Stage Work?
The 2026 World Cup uses a 12-group format for the first time. Each group contains four teams. Every team plays three matches against the other three teams in their group. The top two teams from each group advance automatically to the Round of 32.
The bottom team in each group goes home after three matches. The third-placed team does not automatically go home. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance to the Round of 32. That means 32 teams total enter the knockout stage.
Teams level on points separate first by goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head results, then fair play record. If teams remain level after all those criteria, FIFA uses a drawing of lots.
All 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups at a Glance
| Group | Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 | Team 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Mexico | South Korea | South Africa | Czechia |
| B | Canada | Switzerland | Qatar | Bosnia & Herz. |
| C | Brazil | Morocco | Haiti | Scotland |
| D | USA | Australia | Paraguay | Türkiye |
| E | Germany | Ecuador | Ivory Coast | Curaçao |
| F | Netherlands | Japan | Tunisia | Sweden |
| G | Belgium | Iran | Egypt | New Zealand |
| H | Spain | Uruguay | Saudi Arabia | Cape Verde |
| I | France | Senegal | Norway | Iraq |
| J | Argentina | Austria | Algeria | Jordan |
| K | Portugal | Colombia | DR Congo | Uzbekistan |
| L | England | Croatia | Panama | Ghana |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group by Group Breakdown
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia
Group A opens the entire tournament on June 11 with Mexico vs South Africa at the renovated Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Mexico are the clear favourites as co-hosts playing on home soil. South Korea at FIFA #25 bring genuine quality and always perform at World Cups. South Africa return to the tournament for the first time since hosting it in 2010. Czechia qualified through the UEFA playoff. Mexico should top this group but South Korea will push them hard for that second automatic spot.
Prediction: Mexico and South Korea advance.
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada open their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto before travelling to Vancouver for their remaining group matches. Switzerland are the most dangerous opponent in this group, ranked 13th in the world and consistently strong at major tournaments. Qatar qualified through the standard process for the first time after making their debut as 2022 hosts. Bosnia and Herzegovina arrive after a stunning UEFA playoff run that eliminated Italy. Canada should advance but Switzerland make this group far from straightforward.
Prediction: Canada and Switzerland advance.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group C is one of the most watched groups in the tournament. Brazil arrive under Carlo Ancelotti and carry enormous expectation. Morocco reached the semifinals at Qatar 2022 and bring genuine tournament pedigree. Haiti make their second ever World Cup appearance. Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Brazil are heavy favourites to top this group. The battle for second place between Morocco and Scotland will be one of the most compelling group stage storylines.
Prediction: Brazil and Morocco advance.
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye
The host nation USA face enormous pressure in Group D. The Americans open on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, before playing further matches in the Los Angeles area and New York/New Jersey area. Australia are a solid opponent with European-based players throughout their squad. Paraguay bring South American physicality and resilience. Türkiye qualified through the UEFA playoff and are always competitive. This is the most open group among the host nation draws. USA should advance but nothing is guaranteed.
Prediction: USA and Türkiye advance.
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Germany are the overwhelming favourites in Group E. The four-time World Cup winners arrive with a young, hungry squad looking to recapture past glories. Ecuador are a disciplined South American side capable of causing problems. Ivory Coast bring quality through their experienced attacking options. Curaçao make their World Cup debut here, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to compete at this level. Germany should top this group with ease. The battle for second between Ecuador and Ivory Coast will be tight.
Prediction: Germany and Ivory Coast advance.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Group F is one of the most genuinely competitive groups in the tournament. Netherlands, ranked seventh in the world, are clear favourites. Japan eliminated Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022 and arrive as legitimate dark horses. Sweden qualified through the UEFA playoff after a dramatic win over Poland. Tunisia are the most experienced African side in this group. Japan will push Netherlands harder than any other team in the group. Do not rule out a Japanese group stage upset.
Prediction: Netherlands and Japan advance.
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Belgium arrive as FIFA #9 and are the clear favourites in Group G. Iran bring an experienced squad and always compete hard at World Cups. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, have match-winning quality at the individual level. New Zealand secure Oceania’s first guaranteed World Cup berth and face the toughest possible challenge. Belgium should advance comfortably. The second spot comes down to Iran and Egypt, with Salah’s presence making Egypt dangerous in every match.
Prediction: Belgium and Egypt advance.
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Spain are overwhelming favourites in Group H. The reigning European champions bring a system that has dominated international football for two decades. Uruguay are a physical, experienced South American side with genuine quality. Saudi Arabia qualified through the Asian rounds and will be competitive in every match. Cape Verde make their World Cup debut in the toughest possible group. Spain top this group. Uruguay take second.
Prediction: Spain and Uruguay advance.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group I is the strongest group in the entire tournament. France enter as FIFA #1 on the April 2026 rankings and arrive as one of the clear title favourites. Senegal, ranked 14th in the world, have the squad depth to challenge any team in this group. Norway arrive with Erling Haaland leading the attack, making them dangerous against any opponent. Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after a 40-year wait. France should top this group. The battle between Senegal and Norway for second place will be one of the most exciting group stage contests of the tournament.
Prediction: France and Senegal advance.
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Argentina land in Group J as defending champions. Lionel Messi leads a squad aiming to become only the second nation after Brazil to win back-to-back World Cups. Austria, ranked 24th in the world, are quietly one of the most improved European sides in recent years. Algeria qualified for the first time since 2014 and bring a strong squad. Jordan make their World Cup debut here. Argentina are the clear favourites. Austria are more dangerous than their seeding suggests.
Prediction: Argentina and Austria advance.
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group K features one of the most watched players on the planet. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, are strong favourites to advance. Colombia arrive ranked 13th in the world and bring exciting attacking football under their current setup. DR Congo qualify through the intercontinental playoff and return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut as the first Central Asian nation at this level. Portugal should top this group. Colombia take second.
Prediction: Portugal and Colombia advance.
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
England enter Group L as strong favourites. Ranked fourth in the world, the Three Lions carry genuine title ambitions into this tournament. Croatia are a dangerous opponent with deep tournament experience, having reached the final in 2018 and finished third in 2022. Panama qualified automatically through CONCACAF and will be competitive. Ghana return to the World Cup and bring physical, direct football. England should top this group comfortably. Croatia will be the main test.
Prediction: England and Croatia advance.
Toughest Groups at World Cup 2026
Group I is the clear Group of Death. France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq means even the fourth-placed team in another tournament could win this group. Three of the four teams have genuine knockout stage quality.
Group C runs it close. Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland means one of the 2022 semifinalists goes home in the group stage. Morocco beating Brazil in the group stage is not an impossible outcome.
Group F completes the top three toughest groups. Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia means every team in this group is capable of advancing. Japan in particular could spring a major surprise.
FAQ about FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
How many groups are in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
There are 12 groups in total, labeled Group A through Group L. Each group contains four teams. This is the first time the World Cup has used a 12-group format, made possible by the expansion to 48 teams.
Which is the Group of Death at World Cup 2026?
Group I is widely considered the Group of Death. France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq means three genuinely strong nations compete for two automatic spots. Senegal and Norway could both realistically top this group on their day.
Which group does the USA play in at World Cup 2026?
The USA play in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and Türkiye. The USA open on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Which group does England play in at World Cup 2026?
England play in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. England are strong favourites to top the group.
Can a third-placed team still qualify from the group stage?
Yes. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups advance to the Round of 32. Finishing third in your group does not automatically end your tournament. A team with two wins and one loss could still advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Which group has the defending champion?
Argentina, the defending champions, are in Group J alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan.
Where was the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw held?
The draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The 48 teams were divided into four pots of 12 based on FIFA rankings.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026. With 12 groups, 48 matches, and four debut nations, the race to the Round of 32 starts here. Check our complete teams guide at for the full list of all 48 qualified nations.