World Cup 2026 draw with full 48-team lineup: blockbuster groups, debutants, and giants on collision courses
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 FIFA World Cup lineup has been completed following the conclusion of the play-offs this week. The final six teams booked their place at this summer's tournament, the first in an expanded 48-team format.
Here is the full group stage draw for the 2026World Cup.
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Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Co-hosts Mexico will take on South Africa, South Korea and Czechia in Group A. The Czechs held their nerve during the UEFA play-offs this week to qualify, beating both Ireland and Denmark via penalties.
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Fellow co-hosts, Canada can also be confident of reaching the knockout rounds. Jesse Marsch's side face Bosnia and Qatar sides who have both qualified for the World Cup for only the second time. Switzerland complete Group B.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 this summer. The Tartan Army will face a glamour tie against five-time winners Brazil in the group stage, alongside a clash with a Morocco side recently handed the AFCON title. Haiti are back at the tournament for the first time since 1974.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
The USA have been drawn into arguably the most competitive group. The co-hosts face Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye in a group where all four teams will fancy their chances.
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Curaçao have made history as the smallest ever nation to reach a World Cup. The Caribbean nation has a population of around just 156,000, making their qualification a record-breaking achievement. Germany, the Ivory Coast, and an Ecuadorian side with huge potential are their opponents in a tough group.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
The group of the dark horse?
The Netherlands are not overly fancied to make an impression, but Oranje certainly have the talent to trouble any team in the tournament.
Japan, meanwhile, have claimed victories over Brazil and England in recent games. Sweden secured their place at the World Cup via the play-offs this week, in large part thanks to Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Belgium will want to prove there's life post-Golden Generation in their squad, while Egypt aim to end a 92-year wait to reach the World Cup's knockout stages. With Iran and New Zealand completing Group G, The Pharaohs have a chance.
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Spain start the tournament as favourites following their Euro 2024 success. La Roja will expect to progress from a relatively straightforward Group H with few problems. Two-time winners Uruguay will want to erase memories of a poor 2022 tournament.
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
France face a tough challenge in Group I, with Les Bleus set to take on a Senegal side stripped of their AFCON win and a Norway team spearheaded by Erling Haaland. Iraq are back for the first time since their sole World Cup appearance in 1986.
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Debutants Jordan will face world champions Argentina in their first World Cup appearance. Lionel Messi will hope to lead the South Americans to a second successive crown, in the country he now calls home with Inter Miami. Algeria and Austria will also hope to put a spanner in the works for the holders.
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Uzbekistan are another new nation at the 2026 tournament, and the first-time qualifiers will be led by Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov and veteran goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov.
The debutants have one of the toughest groups on paper, facing Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo. The latter havequalified for the first time in 52 years after Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in their intercontinental play-off final.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England begin their quest to win the World Cup for the first time in 60 years against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L. The Three Lions were eliminated by Croatia in the 2018 semi-finals, having thrashed Panama in that tournament's group stage. England-born Ghana forwardAntoine Semenyo will provide a threat for the Africans.