Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Dec 6: The draw for the historic 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup was held on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, unveiling a packed and highly competitive group stage for the tournament that will span Canada, Mexico and the United States.
With a new expanded format and more matches than ever before, the ceremony brought immediate global buzz, featuring several blockbuster groupings, Xinhua reported.
One of the most anticipated showdowns will come in Group I, where France—led by Kylian Mbappé—will face Erling Haaland’s Norway. Senegal’s presence further intensifies the competition, and the group will be completed by the winner of a European playoff featuring Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania. Many fans are already calling it the tournament’s first “Group of Death.”
Morocco, the breakout team of the previous World Cup, will take on football giants Brazil in Group C, leaving Scotland and Haiti with a challenging path to the knockout stage.
England and Croatia, both viewed as major contenders, were drawn together in Group L, where Ghana and Panama will fight an uphill battle to advance.
In Group B, Italy could join Canada, Switzerland and Qatar—provided the Azzurri progress through their playoff path. The competitive balance in this group is expected to keep predictions wide open.
The opening match will feature hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the winner of the playoff involving Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland.
Full Group Draw for 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European playoff winner D (Denmark / North Macedonia / Czech Republic / Ireland)
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European playoff winner A (Italy / Northern Ireland / Wales / Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, European playoff winner C (Türkiye / Romania / Slovakia / Kosovo)
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner B (Ukraine / Sweden / Poland / Albania)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA playoff winner (Bolivia / Suriname / Iraq)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA playoff winner (New Caledonia / Jamaica / DR Congo)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
With global stars, rising challengers and packed groups across the board, the 2026 World Cup is poised to deliver one of the most thrilling editions in the tournament’s history.