FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups: All 48 Teams, Draw Results & Predictions
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest in history. For the first time 48 teams compete across 12 groups. The United States, Canada and Mexico share hosting duties.
The draw took place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Six spots were still open at that time. Those spots got filled through the UEFA playoffs and the FIFA intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
Every group is now set. Italy missed out for the third straight time. Iraq returned after 40 years. Bosnia shocked Italy on penalties in one of the most dramatic qualifying nights in years.
This guide covers every group, all confirmed playoff results, predictions, key matches and the most common questions fans are asking right now.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage: All 48 Teams and Groups Confirmed
UEFA Playoff Finals — March 31, 2026
FIFA Intercontinental Finals — March 31, 2026
Italy missed the World Cup for a third straight time. Iraq ended a 40-year absence. DR Congo qualify under their current name for the first time.
Click any group card to expand details · Last updated: April 1, 2026 · All 48 teams confirmed
How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw Worked
The 2026 World Cup grew from 32 teams to 48 teams. That created 12 groups of four instead of eight groups.
The draw took place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. FIFA split all 48 qualified teams into four pots based on the FIFA World Rankings. Each pot had 12 teams. One team from each pot went into each group.
The three host nations got automatic spots in Pot 1. Mexico went into Group A. Canada went into Group B. The USA went into Group D.
One key rule shaped the draw. No group could have more than one team from the same continent. Europe was the only exception. Two UEFA teams can share a group.
FIFA also arranged the bracket so top-ranked teams stay apart. Brazil and Argentina cannot meet before the Round of 32 even if both finish first in their groups.
Six spots stayed empty after the December draw. All six got confirmed through the March 2026 playoffs.
Who Qualified Through the 2026 World Cup Playoffs
Six teams earned their World Cup spot through the playoffs in March 2026. Four came through the UEFA playoffs in Europe. Two came through the FIFA intercontinental playoff tournament in Mexico.
Here are all six confirmed qualifiers and where they ended up.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy 1-1 on penalties (4-1). They join Group B.
- Sweden beat Poland 3-2. They join Group F.
- Turkiye beat Kosovo 1-0. They join Group D.
- Czechia beat Denmark 2-2 on penalties (3-1). They join Group A.
- DR Congo beat Jamaica 1-0 after extra time. They join Group K.
- Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1. They join Group I.
The biggest story was Italy. They led against Bosnia and then lost Alessandro Bastoni to a red card in the 41st minute. Bosnia equalized late and won the shootout 4-1. Italy miss the World Cup for the third straight time.
Iraq’s story was just as remarkable. Their airspace was closed due to the Middle East conflict. FIFA arranged a charter flight to get them to Mexico. They arrived ten days before the final and beat Bolivia 2-1 to end a 40-year absence from the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Complete Group Table
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico (Host), South Africa, South Korea, Czechia |
| B | Canada (Host), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| D | USA (Host), Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye |
| E | Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq |
| J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups FAQs
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage?
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026. Each team plays three matches. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance to the Round of 32. The eight best third-placed teams also advance. That is 32 teams total in the knockout stage.
How many teams advance from each World Cup 2026 group?
Two teams advance automatically from each group. The eight best third-placed finishers across all 12 groups also advance. That creates a 32-team Round of 32 bracket.
When does the 2026 World Cup start and where?
The tournament starts on June 11, 2026 and the final takes place on July 19, 2026. Matches are played across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final is at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How does the Round of 32 work at the 2026 World Cup?
The Round of 32 is a new stage added for 2026. All 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams play single knockout matches. Win and you go through. Lose and you are out. It replaces the old Round of 16 as the first knockout round.
What is the Group of Death in World Cup 2026?
Group F is the toughest with Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. Group I is also brutal with France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq. Group L features England vs Croatia which carries eight years of rivalry.
Which group did the USA get in World Cup 2026?
The USA are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkiye. It is the hardest host group of the three. Home advantage helps but the USA cannot take any team in this group lightly.
Did Italy qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No. Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the UEFA playoff final on March 31, 2026. It is Italy’s third consecutive World Cup absence. They last played at a World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Who has the easiest group in World Cup 2026?
Germany have the easiest group in Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Mexico also drew well in Group A. Belgium’s Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand is similarly comfortable.
Which host nation got the best draw?
Mexico got the best draw in Group A. Canada also drew well in Group B. The USA face the toughest challenge in Group D with Turkiye confirmed as the fourth team.
Which teams are making their World Cup debut in 2026?
Four teams play at a World Cup for the first time in 2026. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan all make their debut. Curacao are the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup.
Who are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup?
France are the defending champions and start as one of the top favorites. Brazil, Argentina, Spain and England are all strong contenders. Germany drew an easy group and could build serious momentum early.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group-by-Group Breakdown and Predictions
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Mexico and South Korea.
Mexico play at home. The Estadio Azteca will hold around 80,000 fans for every Mexican home match. That crowd is worth something. South Korea bring solid experience and technical quality. South Africa return after missing recent tournaments.
Czechia are the real story here. They led Denmark, conceded an equalizer and then won 3-1 on penalties. They arrive with belief and form. This group is harder than it first looked.
Prediction: Mexico win the group. South Korea take second.
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Switzerland and Canada.
Canada play at home in Toronto. The atmosphere will be electric. Switzerland are the most consistent team here and rarely drop points at major tournaments. Qatar are more dangerous than people think after winning the 2023 Asian Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy to get here. That matters. They arrive with real confidence and are not here to make up numbers.
Prediction: Switzerland win the group. Canada take second.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Brazil and Morocco.
Brazil should top this group but it will not be straightforward. Morocco finished fourth at the 2022 World Cup and became the first African team to reach a semifinal. Their defensive structure is world class and they are dangerous on the counter. Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Haiti make their second World Cup appearance.
Prediction: Brazil win the group. Morocco take second.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: USA and Turkiye.
The USA drew the hardest host group. Turkiye have real quality. Arda Guler plays at Real Madrid. Hakan Calhanoglu runs the midfield. They have not been to a World Cup since 2002 and they are hungry. Paraguay are disciplined and hard to beat. Australia are physical and experienced at this level.
The USA play at home but they need to earn every result here.
Prediction: USA win the group. Turkiye take second.
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Strength: Weak. Favorites: Germany and Ecuador.
Germany got the softest draw of any major team. Curacao make their debut as the smallest nation by population ever to qualify. Ivory Coast have talent but face a tough step up. Ecuador are the most likely to push Germany for top spot.
Prediction: Germany win the group. Ecuador take second.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Strength: Strong. Favorites: Netherlands and Sweden.
This is the toughest group top to bottom. Japan beat Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. They fear nobody. Sweden arrive with Viktor Gyokeres in superb form after two playoff wins. Netherlands have quality throughout the squad. Tunisia are hard to break down.
No easy games exist here. This group goes to the last matchday.
Prediction: Netherlands win the group. Sweden take second.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Strength: Weak. Favorites: Belgium and Egypt.
Belgium’s Golden Generation gets one last real chance. Kevin De Bruyne leads a squad that can still go deep in a tournament. Egypt have Mohamed Salah. That alone makes them a threat. Iran are organized. New Zealand will fight hard but face a quality gap.
Prediction: Belgium win the group. Egypt take second.
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Spain and Uruguay.
Spain are the top-ranked team at this tournament. Their style is hard to live with. Uruguay defend tight and hit teams on the counter. Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina in 2022. Cape Verde make their debut with nothing to lose.
The Spain vs Uruguay match will decide who tops the group.
Prediction: Spain win the group. Uruguay take second.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Strength: Strong. Favorites: France and Senegal.
France are the defending champions and clear favorites to top this group. Senegal are strong, physical and well-organized. They have qualified from the group stage at each of their last two World Cups. Norway have Erling Haaland who is one of the best strikers alive right now. Iraq return for the first time since 1986 and carry one of the greatest qualifying stories of this entire tournament.
France should win it. Senegal will make them work for it.
Prediction: France win the group. Senegal take second.
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Argentina and Austria.
Argentina are the defending world champions and clear favorites here. Algeria bring experience and organization. Austria play high-intensity pressing football and qualified with ease. Jordan make their World Cup debut.
Prediction: Argentina win the group. Austria take second.
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Strength: Moderate. Favorites: Portugal and Colombia.
Portugal have Ronaldo and a deep squad. Colombia are ranked 13th in the world and genuinely dangerous. James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz give them real quality. DR Congo qualified with a 100th-minute goal against Jamaica and carry European-based players like Yoane Wissa and Axel Tuanzebe. Uzbekistan make their debut.
Colombia can win this group outright.
Prediction: Portugal win the group. Colombia take second.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Strength: Strong. Favorites: England and Croatia.
England want revenge. Croatia knocked them out of the 2018 semifinal. That still hurts eight years later. England qualified with a perfect record and scored 22 goals without conceding. Croatia have Luka Modric still pulling strings at 40. Ghana bring energy and talent. Panama make their second World Cup appearance.
The England vs Croatia match is one of the most anticipated in the entire group stage.
Prediction: England win the group. Croatia take second.
The Groups of Death
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Four teams that all believe they can advance. Japan can beat European giants. Sweden arrive in form. Netherlands have class throughout. Tunisia frustrate bigger teams all day. This is the most competitive group in the tournament.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
The defending champions share a group with Africa’s strongest team, the world’s most dangerous striker and a team making a historic return. France are favorites. One off day and this group changes completely.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England vs Croatia carries eight years of pain and purpose. Both teams have real quality and real motivation. Ghana add genuine competition. This group will be intense from start to finish.
Italy’s Absence: The Story of the Tournament
Italy have missed three straight World Cups. That has never happened in Italian football history before.
The 2026 playoff final told the whole story. Italy led through Moise Kean in the 15th minute. Then Alessandro Bastoni got a red card in the 41st minute. Italy played the last 50 minutes with 10 men.
Bosnia equalized through Haris Tabakovic in the 79th minute. The shootout ended 4-1 to Bosnia. Italy missed two penalties. Bosnia scored four.
Italy last played at a World Cup in Russia in 2018. They missed Qatar in 2022. Now they miss 2026 as well.
For Bosnia it is a historic moment. They arrive at Group B not as underdogs but as a team that just eliminated one of the most decorated nations in World Cup history.
How Did the Three Host Nations Draw?
Mexico (Group A)
Mexico got the best draw of any host nation. The Azteca crowd is a genuine advantage. South Korea are the main threat. Czechia arrived with playoff momentum but are beatable. South Africa are rebuilding. Mexico should advance comfortably and use home support to go deep in the tournament.
Canada (Group B)
Canada host their first-ever World Cup matches. Playing in Toronto will be special. Bosnia are a real opponent after beating Italy. Switzerland are consistent. Qatar are beatable. Canada have their best-ever chance to advance from a World Cup group stage.
USA (Group D)
The USA drew the hardest host group. Turkiye are a quality European side. Paraguay are tactically disciplined. Australia are tough and experienced. Home support across multiple cities will matter. The USA need to be close to their best to get out of this group.
Biggest Group Stage Matches at World Cup 2026
England vs Croatia (Group L)
Croatia beat England in the 2018 semifinal. Thomas Tuchel’s England qualified with a perfect record. Luka Modric still leads Croatia at 40. This match decides who tops Group L and carries more weight than almost any other group stage game at this tournament.
France vs Senegal (Group I)
France and Senegal share history that goes beyond sport. Many Senegalese players compete in French football and know their opponents well. France have superior depth but Senegal are physical and believe they can win this. This could be the group stage match of the tournament.
USA vs Turkiye (Group D)
Turkiye return to the World Cup after 24 years with Arda Guler and a settled system. The USA play at home with a massive crowd behind them. This match will likely decide second place in Group D and could go either way.
Portugal vs Colombia (Group K)
Colombia are 13th in the world. This is not a mismatch. James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz give them genuine class. The winner of this match probably tops the group.
Iraq in Group I
Iraq’s airspace closed because of the Middle East conflict. Their coach got stranded in Dubai. Players struggled to get Mexican visas. FIFA arranged a charter flight. The squad arrived ten days before the final. They beat Bolivia 2-1 and returned to the World Cup after 40 years. Every match Iraq play in Group I will mean something beyond football.
Easiest Paths to the Round of 32
Germany (Group E) drew the weakest group of any major team. Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador all face a quality gap against Die Mannschaft. Germany should advance with room to spare.
Mexico (Group A) play at home with a manageable group. South Korea are the only real test. South Africa and Czechia are beatable. Mexico should progress without serious trouble.
Belgium (Group G) face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Egypt are the only team capable of challenging them. Belgium should top this group and enter the knockouts with confidence.
Argentina (Group J) drew the most comfortable path for a defending champion. Algeria are organized but Argentina have the class to handle it. Austria press high but Argentina know how to deal with that. Jordan are making their debut. Argentina should advance at the top of the group.