World Cup 2026 Groups: Complete Guide From A to L

The World Cup 2026 draw took place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., locking in the 12 groups for the first 48-team World Cup. The tournament runs June 11 – July 19, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 104 matches across 16 cities. The ball rolls first at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the June 11 opener.

This is the definitive guide: the four teams in every group, a quick read on what to expect, and what our prediction model projects for the group stage. One key change: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams now advance — 32 sides into a brand-new round of 32. Want to test it yourself? Run the simulator.

Group A

Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic. The host's group, with the opening match at the Azteca. Mexico play at home and at altitude — a real edge. Our model sees Mexico and South Korea fighting for the two automatic spots, with the Czechs a dangerous outsider.

Group B

Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland. Switzerland are the most technically sound seed and our pick to top it. Canada, on home soil, have the legs for second; Bosnia and Qatar scrap for the qualifying third place.

Group C

Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland. Brazil are heavy favourites, but Morocco — 2022 semi-finalists — make this far tougher than it looks: our model projects both advancing, Scotland chasing a shock, and Haiti the weakest on paper.

Group D

USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey. Wide open. The USA play at home and start ahead, but Turkey have the most talented squad and are our tip to lead. Paraguay and Australia round out an even field.

Group E

Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador. Germany are clear favourites, and Ecuador — rock-solid in South American qualifying — are our second pick. Curaçao make history just by being here: the smallest nation by population ever to reach a World Cup.

Group F

Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia. The Dutch lead on paper, but watch Japan, one of our model's dark horses: fast, organised and unafraid of giants. A returning Sweden chase the third-place route.

Group G

Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand. Belgium still carry Champions League names and are favourites. Salah's Egypt are the most dangerous rival; Iran are World Cup-hardened, and New Zealand arrive as the long shot.

Group H

Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay. A heavyweight pool. Spain are joint title co-favourites in our model and start clear at the top. Uruguay, forever competitive, are our pick for second. Cape Verde make their World Cup debut.

Group I

France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway. This tournament's group of death (more below). France are favourites, but Senegal (African champions) and Haaland's Norway turn it into a minefield. A genuine giant could fall in the first round.

Group J

Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan. Argentina, the holders and joint title co-favourites, dominate here. Austria and Algeria battle for second; Jordan make a historic World Cup debut.

Group K

Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia. Careful — tougher than it looks. Portugal are favourites, but Colombia have the squad to top it and are our standout dark horse. DR Congo and debutants Uzbekistan can bite.

Group L

England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama. England are the seed and our favourites. Croatia, 2018 runners-up and 2022 bronze, are battle-hardened and push hard for second. Ghana bring pace; Panama are the underdogs.

The group of death

The consensus is clear: Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq and Norway — is the group of death of 2026. France arrive as one of the tournament's powers. Senegal are the reigning African champions. And Norway, out of a World Cup for 28 years, are back with Erling Haaland, the most lethal striker on the planet, after a blistering qualifying run. Three sides with a genuine knockout dream for only two automatic spots — a big name will likely lean on the best-thirds safety net. Read our full breakdown in World Cup 2026 group of death.

FAQ

What group is Brazil in for the 2026 World Cup?

Brazil are in Group C, alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. It is tougher than it looks because of Morocco, 2022 semi-finalists. See the bracket and dates in matches.

When does the group stage start?

The group stage kicks off on June 11, 2026, with Mexico's opening match at the Estadio Azteca.

How many teams qualify from each group?

The top two from each of the 12 groups (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams advance — a total of 32 sides into the round of 32. Details in methodology.

How does the new round of 32 work?

With 48 teams, the World Cup debuts an extra knockout round: the round of 32. The 32 qualifiers meet in single-leg ties, and the winners move on to the round of 16. It is one more elimination round than in past editions. Get the full picture in the new round of 32 explained.

Want to know who our model projects to advance in each group? Check the World Cup 2026 predictions and build your own scenarios in the simulator.