The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage was unveiled in a spectacular Final Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, with the world watching as football’s biggest names descended on the US capital.
Standout fixtures include Brazil vs Morocco, Netherlands vs Japan, and a rematch between France and Senegal, who famously won in 2002. Debutants Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan were drawn against football heavyweights Spain, Germany, Argentina, and Portugal, promising thrilling encounters. The tournament’s Opening Match will feature Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico City on 11 June 2026.
The draw was hosted by Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and Danny Ramirez, with former England captain Rio Ferdinand conducting proceedings and sporting icons Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O’Neal assisting. Performances from Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Lauryn Hill, and the Village People added to the star-studded spectacle.
The next milestone comes on 6 December 2025, when FIFA will release the full match schedule, including venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches. The tournament format sees the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advancing to the Round of 32.
Final Draw results:
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Korea Republic
- Czechia/Denmark/North Macedonia /Republic of Ireland
Group B
- Canada
- Bosnia and Herzegovina/ Italy/Northern Ireland /Wales
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Group D
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye
Group E
- Germany
- Curaçao
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ecuador
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine
- Tunisia
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- IR Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Cabo Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname
- Norway
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
