FIFA World Cup 2026
Groups & Qualified Teams
The 48 Nations, Drawn and Ready
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four. Below is every group and every team heading to North America this summer.
Group A
Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
Czech Republic
Host nation Mexico opens the tournament here, giving Group A an immediate spotlight. South Korea bring Asian flair and a history of giant-killing, while Czechia arrive as the final European side to secure their spot. South Africa represent the African continent and will be keen to make home-continent football proud. Expect a lively, open group with qualification up for grabs until the final matchday.
Group B
Canada
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland
Canada host one of the most anticipated home World Cup campaigns in CONCACAF history, backed by a generation that has genuinely closed the gap on the world’s elite. Switzerland are perennial knockout-stage qualifiers, metronomic and hard to beat. Qatar, as defending host nation, make a swift return, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the tournament’s feel-good European qualifier story, knocking out Italy on penalties.
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Brazil are the romantic favourite, five-time world champions returning to a continent where they last lifted the trophy in 1994. Morocco, semi-finalists in Qatar, bring pace and defensive resilience and are one of the most dangerous sides in the draw. Scotland end a long World Cup absence with something to prove, and Haiti represent the Caribbean with energy and nothing to lose.
Group D
United States
Paraguay
Australia
Türkiye
The United States play on home soil, carrying enormous pressure and expectation into every match. The Americans open their tournament on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California against Paraguay. Australia are never easy opponents, and Türkiye completed their qualification campaign in style. Group D will be loud, fiercely competitive, and one of the most-watched in the tournament.
Group E
Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador
Germany look to reassert themselves as a global superpower after recent underperformance on the biggest stage. Ecuador are an organised South American side with genuine pace on the break, and Ivory Coast carry the weight of a golden generation looking to finally deliver a deep tournament run. Curaçao make their World Cup debut here — a genuinely historic moment for Caribbean football.
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
Sweden
Tunisia
The Netherlands, with a squad rich in Premier League talent, arrive as genuine dark-horse contenders. Japan have established themselves as Asia’s most progressive footballing nation, capable of beating anyone on their day. Sweden return to the World Cup after a turbulent qualification campaign, and Tunisia represent North Africa’s stubborn, well-organised best.
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand
Belgium’s golden generation may be aging, but the talent remains deep enough to cause damage. Egypt bring Mohamed Salah, potentially playing in his last World Cup and hungrier than ever. Iran are a disciplined, defensively solid side that punches above its weight, and New Zealand fly the flag for Oceania in their first World Cup appearance in years.
Group H
Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Spain, European champions, are the tournament’s top-ranked side and a serious contender for the title. Uruguay carry centuries of football tradition and a ruthless streak in knockout football. Saudi Arabia arrive with the momentum of a rapidly developing national programme, and Cape Verde make their World Cup debut — a stunning achievement for a nation of fewer than 600,000 people
Group I
France
Senegal
Iraq
Norway
France, winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, will play all three of their group matches in the northeastern United States. They are many people’s outright favourite. Senegal are Africa’s most complete team, capable of going deep into the knockout rounds. Norway arrive with an attacking threat built around Erling Haaland, and Iraq complete the group as worthy newcomers to the expanded field.
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Defending champions Argentina, ranked second in the world, line up alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Argentina are chasing back-to-back titles for the first time since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Algeria make a long-awaited return to the biggest stage, Austria are dark horses with serious attacking quality, and Jordan make their historic debut — the first time an Arab nation from outside the Gulf has qualified.
Group K
Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Portugal arrive with a squad that goes well beyond Cristiano Ronaldo — a deep, technically gifted group capable of going all the way. Colombia are South America’s most exciting team to watch, full of creativity and individual brilliance. Uzbekistan make their first-ever World Cup appearance, and DR Congo fought through the intercontinental playoffs to earn a historic spot.
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
England carry the weight of a nation that has waited 60 years to win a World Cup. Croatia, finalists in 2018, are experienced and dangerous in the knockout rounds despite an ageing squad. Ghana represent West African football’s proud tradition, and Panama return to the World Cup looking to improve on their debut in 2018.