FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Unveils Exciting Matchups and Key Dates
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw
The group stage for the FIFA World Cup 2026 was officially revealed during a spectacular Final Draw ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, featuring a match between co-hosts Mexico and Canada. This World Cup will be jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Exciting Matchups Ahead
The draw has set the stage for thrilling encounters, including Brazil facing Morocco, the Netherlands taking on Japan, and France competing against Senegal. Additionally, debuting teams such as Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will have challenging matches against football powerhouses like Spain, Germany, defending champions Argentina, and Portugal, according to FIFA's official announcements.
Star-Studded Ceremony Highlights
The event featured a lineup of sports legends, including Rio Ferdinand, who hosted the draw, alongside icons like Shaquille O'Neal, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Aaron Judge assisting in the proceedings. The ceremony was further enlivened by comedian Kevin Hart, actress Heidi Klum, and actor Danny Ramirez, with musical performances from Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Lauryn Hill, and the Village People, captivating fans around the globe.
Final Draw Results
The groups for the tournament are as follows:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner UEFA Play-off D |
| B | Canada, Winner UEFA Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner UEFA Play-off C |
| E | Germany, Curacao, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Winner UEFA Play-off B, Tunisia |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| I | France, Senegal, Winner FIFA Play-off 2, Norway |
| J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, Winner FIFA Play-off 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Tournament Structure and Progression
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the round of 32.
Upcoming Qualification Play-offs
Currently, six of the 48 participating teams are yet to be confirmed, with the final list expected by March next year. Four of these spots will be filled through the UEFA play-offs, which include teams like Albania, Italy, and Sweden, among others. The remaining two spots will be contested in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off tournament featuring Bolivia, Iraq, and Jamaica.
Important Dates and Locations
FIFA has announced significant dates and venues for the tournament, with the final scheduled to occur at MetLife Stadium in New York-New Jersey. The timeline is as follows:
- Group Stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarter-finals: July 9-11
- Semi-finals: July 14-15
- Third-place Play-off: July 18
- Final: July 19