FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups: All 12 Groups, Predictions & Group of Death

The FIFA World Cup 2026 groups are confirmed across 12 four-team groups, with the tournament kicking off on June 11 when Mexico host South Africa at Estadio Azteca. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations: USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Final Draw took place on December 5, 2025 in Washington D.C. The final six spots were filled through playoffs on March 31, 2026. Italy missed out for a third straight World Cup. Iraq returned after 40 years. This guide covers every group, the April 2026 FIFA rankings, the Group of Death verdict and predictions. Last updated May 6, 2026.

Key Facts at a Glance:

• Group of Death: Group I, with France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq
• Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026 (group stage ends June 27)
• Top-ranked team: France (#1 as of April 1, 2026, ahead of Spain and Argentina)
• Debutants: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan
• Format: Top 2 from each group plus 8 best third-placed teams advance to a new Round of 32
• Final venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

All 12 FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups at a Glance

Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026. The group stage runs June 11 to June 27, with the Round of 32 starting June 28. See the full World Cup 2026 schedule for all 104 fixtures. The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.

Click any group below to expand details, or filter by confederation.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Group Stage

All 48 teams confirmed  ·  June 11 to 27, 2026  ·  USA, Canada and Mexico

48Teams

12Groups

104Matches

16Stadiums

3Hosts

4Debuts

Host nation

World Cup debut

Playoff qualifier

Historic return

All Groups UEFA CONMEBOL CAF AFC CONCACAF OFC

Confirmed Playoff Results (March 2026): All 6 spots filled ▼

UEFA Playoff Finals, March 31, 2026

Path A🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 (4–1 pens) 🇮🇹 Italy → Group B

Path B🇸🇪 Sweden 3–2 🇵🇱 Poland → Group F

Path C🇹🇷 Turkiye 1–0 🇽🇰 Kosovo → Group D

Path D🇨🇿 Czechia 2–2 (3–1 pens) 🇩🇰 Denmark → Group A

FIFA Intercontinental Finals, March 31, 2026

Path 1🇨🇩 DR Congo 1–0 aet 🇯🇲 Jamaica → Group K

Path 2🇮🇶 Iraq 2–1 🇧🇴 Bolivia → Group I

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: May 6, 2026  ·  All 48 teams confirmed

Latest FIFA Rankings (April 1, 2026)

The April 2026 FIFA ranking shifted the top of world football just two months before kickoff. France climbed to #1 after back-to-back friendly wins against Brazil and Colombia in March. Spain dropped to #2. Argentina, the defending champions, sit third.

Top 10 ahead of World Cup 2026:

1. France
2. Spain
3. Argentina
4. England
5. Portugal
6. Brazil
7. Netherlands
8. Morocco
9. Belgium
10. Germany

The next FIFA ranking update lands on June 10, 2026, the day before the tournament opens. That update determines tiebreakers in the standings if teams finish level on points and goal difference.

Italy sit 12th, the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify. The lowest-ranked teams in the tournament are New Zealand (85th), Haiti (83rd), Curaçao (82nd), Ghana (74th), Cape Verde (69th) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (65th).

How the December 2025 Draw Worked

FIFA split all 48 qualified teams into four pots of 12 based on the November 2025 FIFA World Ranking. One team from each pot went into each group.

The three host nations got automatic Pot 1 placement: Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B, USA in Group D. That guaranteed each host opens at home.

Two rules shaped the rest. No group could contain more than one team from the same continent, except UEFA, which can place two European teams together because Europe has 16 qualifiers. FIFA also seeded the bracket so the top-ranked teams stay on opposite sides until the later rounds.

Six spots stayed open after the December draw. They were filled through the UEFA and FIFA Intercontinental playoffs on March 31, 2026.

Who Qualified Through the March 2026 Playoffs

Six teams earned the final spots. Four came through the UEFA playoffs in Europe. Two came through the FIFA Intercontinental tournament in Mexico.

UEFA Playoff Finals (March 31, 2026):

• Path A: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (4-1 on penalties) → Group B
• Path B: Sweden 3-2 Poland → Group F
• Path C: Türkiye 1-0 Kosovo → Group D
• Path D: Czechia 2-2 Denmark (3-1 on penalties) → Group A

FIFA Intercontinental Finals (March 31, 2026, Mexico):

• Path 1: DR Congo 1-0 Jamaica (after extra time) → Group K
• Path 2: Iraq 2-1 Bolivia → Group I

Italy missed out for a third straight World Cup, falling to Bosnia on penalties despite leading 1-0 through Moise Kean. See the full story below.

Iraq’s qualification was the tournament’s most remarkable. With regional airspace closures forcing the team to find a workaround, FIFA arranged a charter flight to Mexico. The team arrived about a week before the final and beat Bolivia 2-1, ending a 40-year absence. Their only previous World Cup was Mexico 1986.

With all 48 teams confirmed, federations now turn to squad selection. Provisional squads (35-55 players) are due to FIFA by May 11, 2026, and final 26-man rosters by June 1, 2026.

The Group of Death: Why It’s Group I

Group I (France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq) is the 2026 World Cup Group of Death. It has the toughest average FIFA ranking of any group at 25.75, per Sports Illustrated.

The group packs world-class firepower across three contenders: France (world #1, 2018 champions, 2022 finalists), Senegal (Africa’s second-ranked team and 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists, ranked 14th globally), and Norway (with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard). Iraq round it out on a remarkable charter-flight qualification story.

Group D (USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye) and Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia) follow as next-toughest. Group L (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama) is the most balanced top to bottom.

ESPN argued the 48-team format softened the traditional Group of Death because eight third-placed teams advance, meaning France, Senegal and Norway could all reach the Round of 32. The fight for first place still matters: group winners get easier knockout draws. France vs Senegal on June 16 will set the tone.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group-by-Group Breakdown and Predictions

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Mexico and South Korea.

Mexico open the World Cup at the renovated Estadio Azteca on June 11. The rebuilt 87,500-seat stadium hosts a rematch of the 2010 opening match, with the same two coaches: Javier Aguirre and Hugo Broos. Mexico drew with Portugal (0-0) and Belgium (1-1) in March friendlies. Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón is out with a ruptured Achilles, leaving Raúl ‘Tala’ Rangel as favourite to start, with 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa as backup hoping for a sixth World Cup.

• South Korea: Son Heung-min leads at 33 in likely his last World Cup. Bayern’s Kim Min-jae anchors defence.
• Czechia: Arrived with momentum after beating Denmark on penalties in the playoff.
• South Africa: Return after a long absence with nothing to lose.

Key fixtures: Mexico vs South Africa (June 11, Estadio Azteca) · Mexico vs South Korea (June 18, Guadalajara) · Czechia vs Mexico (June 24, Estadio Azteca).

Prediction: Mexico win the group. South Korea take second.

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Switzerland and Canada.

Canada open at home in Toronto on June 12 against Bosnia. They have their best squad ever with Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Stephen Eustáquio at the core. The Toronto and Vancouver crowds are a real factor.

• Switzerland: Murat Yakin’s side is the most consistent here and rarely drops points at major tournaments.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Arrive on the high of eliminating Italy in the playoff.
• Qatar: 2023 Asian Cup champions, qualified through AFC route on merit.

Key fixtures: Canada vs Bosnia (June 12, BMO Field Toronto) · Switzerland vs Bosnia (June 18, Vancouver) · Canada vs Switzerland (June 24, Vancouver).

Prediction: Switzerland win the group. Canada take second.

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Brazil and Morocco.

Brazil open against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, a tournament-defining early fixture. Brazil are dealing with an injury crisis: Éder Militão is out, Estêvão has a grade-four hamstring tear, Rodrygo’s status is uncertain, and Matheus Cunha is a doubt.

• Morocco: Finished fourth at Qatar 2022, the first African team to reach a semi-final. Achraf Hakimi’s PSG injury should clear by June.
• Scotland: First World Cup since 1998, with Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.
• Haiti: Second World Cup appearance, first since 1974.

Key fixtures: Brazil vs Morocco (June 13, New York New Jersey Stadium) · Scotland vs Haiti (June 13) · Brazil vs Scotland (June 24).

Prediction: Brazil win the group. Morocco take second.

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: USA and Türkiye.

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA drew the hardest host group. The team lost both March friendlies (Belgium and Portugal) by an aggregate 7-2, raising real questions about the back three. Sergiño Dest returned to action over the weekend after a hamstring injury. Striker Patrick Agyemang is out after rupturing his Achilles in April.

• Türkiye: First World Cup since 2002 (when they finished third). Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Inter’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu lead the squad.
• Paraguay: Tactically disciplined, finished CONMEBOL qualifying strongly.
• Australia: Physical and tournament-experienced.

Key fixtures: USA vs Paraguay (June 12, SoFi Stadium) · USA vs Türkiye (June 25, Arlington) · USA play Senegal (June 5) and Germany (June 7) in last tune-up friendlies.

Prediction: USA win the group. Türkiye take second.

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Strength: Weak. Favourites: Germany and Ecuador.

Germany got the softest draw of any major team. Julian Nagelsmann lost Serge Gnabry to an adductor injury, but Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala remain the creative core.

• Ecuador: Strong defensive base, qualified comfortably from CONMEBOL. Most likely to push Germany.
• Ivory Coast: Premier League quality but face a step up.
• Curaçao: Smallest nation by population to ever qualify for a World Cup. Coached by Dutch legend Dick Advocaat.

Key fixtures: Germany vs Curaçao (June 14, Houston) · Germany vs Ivory Coast (June 20) · Ecuador vs Germany (June 25, Arlington).

Prediction: Germany win the group. Ecuador take second.

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Strength: Strong. Favourites: Netherlands and Sweden.

The toughest group top to bottom outside Group I. Netherlands lost Xavi Simons in late April after he ruptured his ACL playing for Tottenham, a major blow to their creative play. Tunisia vs Japan in Monterrey on June 20 will be the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history.

• Japan: Beat Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022, and beat England 1-0 at Wembley in March 2026.
• Sweden: Arrive with Viktor Gyökeres in scoring form after two playoff wins.
• Tunisia: Defensively organised and capable of frustrating bigger sides.

Key fixtures: Netherlands vs Japan (June 14, Arlington) · Sweden vs Tunisia (June 14, Monterrey) · Netherlands vs Sweden (June 20, Houston).

Prediction: Netherlands win the group. Sweden take second.

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Strength: Weak. Favourites: Belgium and Egypt.

Belgium’s Golden Generation gets one last real shot. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku lead a deep squad. ESPN ranked this among the four weakest groups in World Cup history by Elo rating.

• Egypt: Mohamed Salah picked up a four-week hamstring injury in late April but is expected back.
• Iran: FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed Iran will participate despite the Iranian delegation skipping the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
• New Zealand: Will fight but face a quality gap.

Key fixtures: Belgium vs Egypt (June 15, Seattle) · Iran vs New Zealand (June 15, Inglewood) · Belgium vs Iran (June 21, Inglewood).

Prediction: Belgium win the group. Egypt take second.

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Spain and Uruguay.

Spain are the European champions and ranked second in the world. Lamine Yamal’s left hamstring injury ended his Barcelona La Liga season but he is expected to be fit for Spain. Uruguay vs Spain on June 26 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara will likely decide the group.

• Uruguay: Defend tight and counter sharply with Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Manuel Ugarte.
• Saudi Arabia: Stunned Argentina at Qatar 2022 and will not be taken lightly.
• Cape Verde: Make their World Cup debut.

Key fixtures: Spain vs Cape Verde (June 15, Atlanta) · Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (June 15, Miami) · Uruguay vs Spain (June 26, Guadalajara).

Prediction: Spain win the group. Uruguay take second.

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq

Strength: Strong. Favourites: France and Senegal.

The Group of Death. France are world #1, 2018 champions and 2022 finalists. Kylian Mbappé leads with Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise providing depth. Hugo Ekitike was a major loss after rupturing his Achilles in April for Liverpool, ending his 2026 season. France open against Senegal on June 16, a rematch of the iconic 2002 fixture.

• Senegal: Among Africa’s strongest teams. Advanced from the group stage at each of their last two World Cups.
• Norway: Erling Haaland can swing a group on his own. Martin Ødegaard runs midfield.
• Iraq: Return after 40 years. Coached by Australia’s Graham Arnold, with qualifying top scorer Aymen Hussein leading the line.

Key fixtures: France vs Senegal (June 16, New York New Jersey Stadium) · Iraq vs Norway (June 16, Boston) · France vs Iraq (June 22, Philadelphia) · Norway vs France (June 26).

Prediction: France win the group. Senegal take second.

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Argentina and Austria.

Argentina defend their world title with Lionel Messi at 38, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández. They drew the most comfortable group of any defending champion, beating Mauritania 2-1 and Zambia 5-0 in March warm-ups.

• Austria: Play high-press football under Ralf Rangnick and qualified comfortably.
• Algeria: Bring tournament experience.
• Jordan: World Cup debut. Reached the 2024 Asian Cup final.

Key fixtures: Argentina vs Algeria (June 16, Kansas City) · Argentina vs Austria (June 22, Arlington) · Jordan vs Argentina (June 27, Arlington).

Prediction: Argentina win the group. Austria take second.

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Strength: Moderate. Favourites: Portugal and Colombia.

Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão in a deep squad. Colombia are ranked 13th in the world and genuinely can win this group outright. Portugal vs Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 27 will likely decide first place.

• Colombia: James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz provide the spark.
• DR Congo: Qualified with a 100th-minute goal against Jamaica. Premier League players Yoane Wissa and Axel Tuanzebe lead the squad.
• Uzbekistan: World Cup debut.

Key fixtures: Portugal vs DR Congo (June 17, Houston) · Uzbekistan vs Colombia (June 17, Estadio Azteca) · Colombia vs Portugal (June 27, Miami).

Prediction: Portugal win the group. Colombia take second.

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Strength: Strong. Favourites: England and Croatia.

The most balanced group in the tournament. England qualified with a perfect record under Thomas Tuchel: eight wins, 22 goals scored, none conceded. They drew 1-1 with Uruguay and lost 1-0 to Japan in March friendlies. England vs Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on June 17 carries eight years of history from the 2018 semi-final.

• Croatia: Knocked England out of the 2018 semi-final in extra time. Luka Modrić still pulling strings at 40.
• Ghana: Pace and Premier League quality.
• Panama: Tactically disciplined and well-organised.

Key fixtures: England vs Croatia (June 17, Arlington) · Ghana vs Panama (June 17, Toronto) · England vs Ghana (June 23, Boston) · Panama vs England (June 27).

Prediction: England win the group. Croatia take second.

How the Three Host Nations Drew

• Mexico (Group A): Best draw of any host. South Korea are the only real test, with Czechia and South Africa beatable. Mexico should advance comfortably.
• Canada (Group B): Solid draw. Switzerland is the toughest opponent. Their best-ever chance to advance from a World Cup group with the Toronto crowd as a real factor.
• USA (Group D): Hardest host group. Türkiye, Paraguay and Australia all capable of taking points. The June friendlies against Senegal and Germany will reveal whether Pochettino’s back three works.

Key Group Stage Matches to Watch

These five group-stage fixtures stand out, played across the tournament’s 16 host stadiums:

• Mexico vs South Africa (June 11, Estadio Azteca): The opening match of the first 48-team World Cup. Rematch of the 2010 opener with the same two coaches.
• Brazil vs Morocco (June 13, New York New Jersey Stadium): Tournament-defining early fixture. Morocco’s 2022 semi-final run gives this real edge.
• France vs Senegal (June 16): The Group of Death opener. Rematch of the 2002 shock that knocked France out at the group stage.
• England vs Croatia (June 17, AT&T Stadium): Eight years after the 2018 semi-final. England’s perfect qualifying record meets Modrić’s tactical know-how.
• Tunisia vs Japan (June 20, Monterrey): The 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history.

Italy’s Absence: The Story of the Tournament

Italy have missed three straight World Cups, a first in Italian football history. They last played at a World Cup in Russia 2018.

The playoff final against Bosnia at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica told the whole story. Moise Kean put Italy ahead in the 15th minute, but Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the 42nd. Italy played 50 minutes a man down. Haris Tabakovic equalised in the 79th, and Bosnia won the shootout 4-1.

Italy sit 12th in the world, the highest-ranked team that did not qualify. For Bosnia, eliminating four-time champions Italy makes them the most dangerous “playoff team” in Group B.

Tournament Format and Round of 32

The 48-team format works like this:

1. Group stage (June 11 to June 27): 12 groups of four, each team plays three matches.
2. Round of 32 (starts June 28): All 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the 8 best third-placed teams advance.
3. Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals: Standard single-elimination knockout.
4. Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Teams reaching the final play eight matches, up from seven. Total matches grew from 64 in 2022 to 104 in 2026, across 39 days.

Group tiebreakers, in order: points, goal difference, goals scored, team conduct score, latest FIFA ranking.

Record Prize Money: $871 Million

FIFA confirmed in late April 2026 that the total prize pool will be $871 million, a 15% increase on the previously announced $727 million and almost double Qatar 2022’s $440 million. Each qualified team is guaranteed at least $12.5 million ($2.5M for preparation + $10M for qualification). The winner is set to receive $50 million, the largest individual prize ever at a single tournament.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups: Frequently Asked Questions

Easiest Paths to the Round of 32

• Germany (Group E): Weakest group of any major team. Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador all face a quality gap.
• Belgium (Group G): ESPN ranked this among the four weakest groups in World Cup history.
• Mexico (Group A): Home advantage and manageable opponents: South Korea is the only real test.
• Argentina (Group J): The most comfortable path for any defending champion.
• Spain (Group H): Open with debutants Cape Verde, with Uruguay the only real obstacle to first place.

What Happens Next

May 11 brings provisional squads. June 1 brings final 26-man rosters. Early June delivers the last pre-tournament friendlies. The June 10 FIFA ranking update sets the final tiebreaker order before kickoff.

On Thursday June 11, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico walk out at Estadio Azteca to face Hugo Broos’ South Africa in front of 87,500 fans, a rematch of the 2010 opener with the same two coaches. The FIFA World Cup 2026 groups stage begins, kicking off the biggest tournament in football history.