Representatives and delegates from around the world gathered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday to discover the fate of their footballing nations ahead of this summer's tournament, which kicks off on the 11th of June.
Group D
The contents of the group stage were revealed with the host nation–the United States–drawing a favorable position alongside 26th-ranked Australia and 36th-ranked Paraguay in Group D.
Group A
The Mexicans, also a host nation for the tournament, ranked 15th in the world, will compete alongside South Africa, South Korea, & a UEFA Play-Off nation from Group D (to be determined later in the campaign).
Group B
The Canadians–the third host nation from North America–also drew a competitive lot from Group B with the United Arab Emirates and a Swiss side eager to clinch a spot in the Round of 16.
This World Cup will be slightly different than previous campaigns, and will be the largest tournament in the competition's 96-year history, featuring a total of 48 nations, 12 more than the standard 36-nation lot.
The tournament's opening ceremony was also unusual and a stark departure from the customary business-like environment. But with Donald Trump as U.S. president–a mogul of global showmanship who is always eager to put a hand on everything–undoubtedly influenced the day's presentation with a gauche flare of famous figures, musical entertainment, and his signature glitz and glamour.
Group C
Group C is stacked against the miracle nation of Haiti, which cemented its spot in the 2026 World Cup after qualifying last month for the first time in 52 years following a 2-0 win against Nicaragua.
The war-torn, poverty-stricken Caribbean nation is drawn with one of the most competitive groups in the tournament, sharing beds with Scotland, Brazil & Morocco.
Group E
The Germans are the favorite in Group E, stationed alongside South American Ecuador, the Ivory Coast & the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao.
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- Winner of UEFA Playoff B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Winner of Intercontinental Playoff 2: Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname
Group J
The 2022 winners of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi and Argentina have drawn with European side Austria, and the two Arab nations of Algeria & Jordan. A Jordanian nation that is readied to make its World Cup debut.
Group K
- Portugal
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
- Winner of Intercontinental Playoff 1: DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
