FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups: All 12 Groups, Predictions and Group of Death
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage is underway. All 12 groups completed their opening fixtures between June 11 and June 16, and Groups K and L kick off on June 17. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations: the USA, Canada and Mexico.
This guide covers every group with its opening result and prediction, the Group of Death verdict, the updated June 2026 FIFA ranking and how the groups were decided. Last updated June 17, 2026.
Key Facts at a Glance:
- Group of Death: Group I, with France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq. Norway and France both won their openers.
- Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026 (group stage ends June 27, Round of 32 begins June 28).
- Top-ranked team: Argentina, No. 1 in the June 2026 FIFA ranking, ahead of Spain and France.
- Debutants: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
- Biggest opening result: Germany 7-1 Curaçao.
- Format: Top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
- Final venue: New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife), East Rutherford, New Jersey.
All 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups at a Glance
Use the interactive guide below to explore all 12 groups. Select any card for the teams, the opening result and the prediction, or filter by confederation.
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: June 17, 2026 · Group stage underway
Explore more of our World Cup 2026 coverage:
- World Cup 2026 standings: live group tables and qualification scenarios, updated after every match.
- Full match schedule: every fixture, kickoff time and result across all 104 games.
- Stadium guide: all 16 host venues across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
- Squads hub: confirmed 26-player rosters for every qualified nation.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group-by-Group Breakdown and Predictions
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, South Africa
Opening round: Mexico 2-0 South Africa, South Korea 2-1 Czechia.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the tournament inside nine minutes and Raúl Jiménez added a second as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the rebuilt Estadio Azteca, now the Mexico City Stadium. South Korea, led by captain Son Heung-min, came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 through Hwang In-beom, so both leaders sit on three points.
Key fixtures: Czechia vs South Africa (June 18), Mexico vs South Korea (June 18), Czechia vs Mexico (June 24).
Prediction: Mexico win the group, South Korea take second. Czechia and South Africa already need wins to recover.
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Opening round: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar 1-1 Switzerland.
The tightest group in the tournament after one round, with all four teams level on a single point after Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Qatar held Switzerland 1-1. Canada, with Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, will feel a home draw was points dropped.
Key fixtures: Switzerland vs Bosnia (June 18), Canada vs Qatar (June 18), Switzerland vs Canada (June 24).
Prediction: Switzerland win the group, Canada take second, but with nothing between the four this one looks set to go to the final round.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Opening round: Brazil 1-1 Morocco, Scotland 1-0 Haiti.
Scotland lead the group after beating Haiti 1-0 for their first World Cup win since returning to the tournament, a first victory at a World Cup since 1998. Brazil, carrying a heavy injury list, were held 1-1 by 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, which keeps the section open.
Key fixtures: Scotland vs Morocco (June 19), Brazil vs Haiti (June 19), Scotland vs Brazil (June 24).
Prediction: Brazil win the group, Morocco take second, though Scotland’s start keeps third place very much alive.
Group D: USA, Australia, Türkiye, Paraguay
Opening round: USA 4-1 Paraguay, Australia 2-0 Türkiye.
A strong opening for the hosts. Christian Pulisic set up Folarin Balogun in a 4-1 win over Paraguay that answered a difficult set of March friendlies, and Australia were just as convincing in beating Türkiye 2-0. The two pre-tournament picks for second, Türkiye and Paraguay, both have ground to make up.
Key fixtures: USA vs Australia (June 19), Türkiye vs Paraguay (June 19), Türkiye vs USA (June 26).
Prediction: USA win the group. Australia, after that opening win, now look the bigger threat for second.
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curaçao
Opening round: Germany 7-1 Curaçao, Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador.
Germany made the statement of the opening day, with Kai Havertz scoring twice in a 7-1 rout of debutants Curaçao, who at least marked their first World Cup appearance with a goal of their own. Ivory Coast quietly took second place with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, the side many neutrals had tipped to push Germany.
Key fixtures: Germany vs Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador vs Curaçao (June 21), Ecuador vs Germany (June 25).
Prediction: Germany win the group, Ivory Coast take second after the head start, with Ecuador needing a quick response.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Opening round: Netherlands 2-2 Japan, Sweden 5-1 Tunisia.
Sweden lead after thrashing Tunisia 5-1, with Viktor Gyökeres in the form that made him one of the tournament’s most-watched strikers. The Netherlands, missing Xavi Simons to a long-term injury, were held 2-2 by Japan despite a Virgil van Dijk header, leaving two of the favourites level on a point.
Key fixtures: Netherlands vs Sweden (June 20), Tunisia vs Japan (June 21), Japan vs Sweden (June 26).
Prediction: Netherlands win the group. Sweden, after a flying start, take second.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Opening round: Belgium 1-1 Egypt, Iran 2-2 New Zealand.
All four teams are level on a single point. Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, were held 1-1 by an Egypt side still awaiting the full sharpness of Mohamed Salah, while New Zealand earned a notable 2-2 draw with Iran.
Key fixtures: Belgium vs Iran (June 21), New Zealand vs Egypt (June 21), Egypt vs Iran (June 27).
Prediction: Belgium win the group, Egypt take second, in a section that could turn on a single result.
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Opening round: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay.
The upset round of the opening day. European champions Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by debutants Cape Verde, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia drew 1-1, leaving all four level on a point.
Key fixtures: Spain vs Saudi Arabia (June 21), Uruguay vs Cape Verde (June 21), Uruguay vs Spain (June 26).
Prediction: Spain win the group, Uruguay take second, but Spain need a win over Saudi Arabia to take control.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Opening round: France 3-1 Senegal, Norway 4-1 Iraq.
The Group of Death broke in favour of the seeds. Kylian Mbappé, now France’s all-time record scorer, and Bradley Barcola were on target in a 3-1 win over Senegal, while Erling Haaland struck twice as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Norway lead on goal difference.
Key fixtures: France vs Iraq (June 22), Norway vs Senegal (June 22), Norway vs France (June 26).
Prediction: France win the group, Norway take second after the emphatic opener. Senegal and Iraq need wins on June 22 to stay alive.
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Opening round: Argentina 3-0 Algeria, Austria 3-1 Jordan.
Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria, lit up by a Lionel Messi hat-trick. Austria matched them with a 3-1 win over debutants Jordan, their first World Cup victory in 36 years, setting up an Argentina vs Austria meeting on June 22 that may decide first place.
Key fixtures: Argentina vs Austria (June 22), Jordan vs Algeria (June 22), Jordan vs Argentina (June 27).
Prediction: Argentina win the group. Austria take second.
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Opening round (June 17): Portugal vs DR Congo (Houston), Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Mexico City).
One of the last two groups to start. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, are favourites, but Colombia, ranked inside the world’s top 15, are a genuine threat to win the group outright. Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut.
Key fixtures: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia vs DR Congo (June 23), Colombia vs Portugal (June 27).
Prediction: Portugal win the group. Colombia take second.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Opening round (June 17): England vs Croatia (Arlington), Ghana vs Panama (Toronto).
England open against Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 semi-final, with Thomas Tuchel’s side arriving on a perfect qualifying record. Luka Modrić’s Croatia, plus Ghana and Panama, make this the most balanced group in the tournament top to bottom.
Key fixtures: England vs Ghana (June 23), Panama vs Croatia (June 23), Panama vs England (June 27).
Prediction: England win the group. Croatia take second.
The Group of Death: Why It Is Group I
Group I, with France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq, was rated the 2026 World Cup Group of Death before kickoff, carrying the toughest average FIFA ranking of any group. Three of the four are ranked inside the world’s top 30, and it pairs the 2018 champions, France, with a Norway side built around Erling Haaland and a Senegal team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.
The 48-team format softens the traditional Group of Death, because eight third-placed teams advance and a strong loser can still progress. First place still matters, since group winners earn an easier knockout draw. With France and Norway both winning their openers, the decisive fixtures come on June 22, when France face Iraq and Norway face Senegal, before the group is likely settled by Norway against France on June 26.
Latest FIFA Ranking (June 2026)
The final FIFA ranking before kickoff reshuffled the top of world football. Argentina climbed to No. 1, leapfrogging Spain, while France, top of the April ranking, slipped to third. This is the ranking that serves as the last tiebreaker if teams finish level on points, goal difference, goals scored and disciplinary record.
Top 10 entering World Cup 2026:
- Argentina
- Spain
- France
- England
- Portugal
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Germany
Among the host nations, Mexico sit 14th, the USA 17th and Canada 30th. Italy, the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify, remain 12th.
How the 2026 World Cup Groups Were Decided
The Final Draw was held on December 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The 48 teams were split into four pots by the November 2025 FIFA ranking, with the three hosts seeded into Groups A, B and D so each opened at home.
The last six places were settled by playoffs on March 31, 2026. Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy on penalties to take a spot in Group B, leaving Italy out for a third straight World Cup, while Iraq returned after a 40-year absence and DR Congo qualified for the first time under their current name. The full playoff results are listed in the group guide above.
Tournament Format and the Round of 32
The 48-team format adds a new knockout round. The 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams advance to a Round of 32, which begins June 28 and replaces the old Round of 16 as the first knockout round. The bracket then runs through the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals to the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Teams reaching the final now play eight matches, up from seven, and the tournament has grown from 64 matches in 2022 to 104 in 2026. Group tiebreakers are applied in this order: points, goal difference, goals scored, disciplinary record, then the June 2026 FIFA ranking.
Record Prize Money
FIFA set a total prize pool of $871 million for 2026, the largest in World Cup history and almost double Qatar 2022’s $440 million. Every qualified team is guaranteed at least $12.5 million ($10 million for qualification plus $2.5 million in preparation costs), and the winner will receive a record $50 million.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups FAQ
When does the 2026 World Cup group stage start and end?
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026. The opening match was Mexico vs South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on June 11.
How many teams advance from each group?
The top two from each of the 12 groups advance automatically, plus the eight best third-placed teams. That fills a 32-team Round of 32 bracket starting June 28.
Where is the 2026 World Cup final?
New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
What is the Group of Death at the 2026 World Cup?
Group I, with France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq. After the opening round, Norway and France lead on three points, while Senegal and Iraq are without a point.
Which group is the USA in?
Group D, with Australia, Türkiye and Paraguay. The USA lead the group after a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Did Italy qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No. Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the UEFA playoff final, a third straight World Cup absence after missing 2018 and 2022.
Which teams are making their World Cup debut in 2026?
Four debutants: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Curaçao are the smallest nation by population ever to qualify.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina enter ranked No. 1 in the June 2026 FIFA ranking and are among the leading favourites. Spain, France, England, Brazil and Portugal are the other top contenders.
What Happens Next
The opening round is complete in Groups A to J, and Groups K and L start on June 17. Matchday 2 follows over the coming days, with the headline fixtures including England vs Croatia today in Arlington and Argentina vs Austria on June 22 for top spot in Group J. Groups A, D, E and I have early leaders, while Groups B, G and H remain wide open after four-way draws.