The draw for the 2026 World Cup has determined the twelve groups for the first round, featuring several tough matchups and others still open due to pending playoff matches.
In Group A, Mexico will have to handle the pressure of playing at home against South Africa and South Korea, while awaiting the winner of the playoff between North Macedonia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, or Ireland.
Canada leads Group B with an uncertain path: their second opponent will emerge from the match between Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina; Qatar and Switzerland complete the group.
Brazil leads Group C along with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, in a group with no remaining playoff spots. The United States shares Group D with Paraguay and Australia, awaiting the winner of the playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.
Germany will face Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador in Group E, while the Netherlands and Japan will lead Group F, which will be completed by the winner of the playoff between Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Armenia, as well as Tunisia.
Belgium is the favorite in Group G against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. Spain will share Group H with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, featuring one of the most attractive matchups.
The so-called “Group of Death” will be Group I, led by France, along with Senegal, Norway, and one spot remaining between Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname, with three teams having a strong chance of advancing.
Argentina is in Group J with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, in a group without playoffs and one of the most accessible in the tournament.
Portugal is in Group K and awaits either New Caledonia, Jamaica, or the Democratic Republic of Congo; they will also face Uzbekistan and Colombia. England leads Group L along with Ghana, Croatia, and Panama.
This is the path of the 2026 World Cup:
2nd Group A vs. 2nd Group B
1st Group E vs. 3rd Group A/B/C/D/F
1st Group F vs. 2nd Group C
1st Group C vs. 2nd Group F
1st Group I vs. 3rd Group C/D/F/G/H
2nd Group E vs. 2nd Group I
1st Group A vs. 3rd Group C/E/F/H/I
1st Group L vs. 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K
1st Group D vs. 3rd Group B/E/F/I/J
1st Group G vs. 3rd Group A/E/H/I/J
2nd Group K vs. 2nd Group L
1st Group H vs. 2nd Group J
1st Group B vs. 3rd Group E/F/G/I/J
1st Group J vs. 2nd Group H
1st Group K vs. 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L
2nd Group D vs. Group G
The groups are as follows:
Group A: Mexico – South Africa – South Korea – North Macedonia/Denmark/Czech Republic/Ireland
Group B: Canada – Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina – Qatar – Switzerland
Group C: Brazil – Morocco – Haiti – Scotland
Group D: United States – Paraguay – Australia – Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E: Germany – Curaçao – Ivory Coast – Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands – Japan – Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Armenia – Tunisia
Group G: Belgium – Egypt – Iran – New Zealand
Group H: Spain – Cape Verde – Saudi Arabia – Uruguay
Group I: France – Senegal – Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname – Norway
Group J: Argentina – Algeria – Austria – Jordan
Group K: Portugal – New Caledonia/Jamaica/Dominican Republic Democratic Republic of Congo – Uzbekistan – Colombia
Group L: England – Ghana – Croatia – Panama
