Big teams face early tests as 2026 World Cup Groups revealed (Full list)

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has unveiled a wide-ranging set of group-stage fixtures featuring football heavyweights, rising nations and several intriguing matchups that will shape the early phase of the expanded 48-team tournament.

In Group A of the World Cup, Mexico will begin their campaign against South Africa, South Korea and the winner of European Playoffs D, setting up a blend of pace, tactical discipline and unpredictability.

Co-host Canada headline Group B, where they will face Switzerland, Qatar and the qualifier from European Playoffs A.

Brazil lead Group C alongside 2022 semifinalists Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, forming one of the tournament’s most compelling first-round groups.

The United States, one of the hosts of the World Cup anchor Group D, drawn with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of European Playoffs C, a group likely to test the hosts’ physical and tactical resilience.

Germany feature in Group E with Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, while the Netherlands head Group F against Japan, Tunisia and the European Playoffs B qualifier. Belgium, seeking to define a new era after their golden generation, will compete in Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

Spain and Uruguay headline Group H, which also includes Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, offering a mix of possession-heavy European football and South American intensity.

At the World Cup, France enter Group I, where they face Senegal, Norway and the winner of FIFA Playoffs Tournament 2.

The defending champions, Argentina begin their title defence in Group J with Austria, Algeria and Jordan.

Portugal lead Group K, grouped with Colombia, Uzbekistan and the winner of FIFA Playoffs Tournament 1. England’s Group L features familiar rivals Croatia, as well as Ghana and Panama.

See groups below

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs D

Group B: Canada, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs A, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs C

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs B, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

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

Group I: France, Senegal, whichever team claims the spot from FIFA Playoffs Tournament 2, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, the winner of FIFA Playoffs Tournament 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama