Key Highlights
- Of the other hosts, Canada face a European play-off winner (potentially Italy), Qatar and Switzerland; and the United States are up against Paraguay, Australia and a European play-off winner. The draw was conducted by former England and Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand with broadcaster Samantha Johnson, and North American sporting greats Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O'Neal assisted in the draw. Trump, Carney and Sheinbaum get involvedUS President Donald Trump, an ardent sports fan who is close with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, was present along with Mexican Presidentlaudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrump was named first recipient of an annual FIFA Peace Prize, and the three politicians were then called onto the stage to get the draw going by picking their nation's balls out of their pot, with Mexico seeded top of Group A, Canada of Group B and the US of Group D. The groupsArgentina are up against against Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J of Lionel Messi's final World Cup. Twice champions and 2022 finalists France were beaten by Senegal in the 2002 tournament opener and will want to avoid that this time out in Group I where they will also be up against Erling Haaland's Norway and an intercontinental play-off winner. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRecord five-time champions Brazil play the 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Scotland like in 1998, plus Haiti in Group C. Germans satisfiedFour-time winners Germany also have a doable Group E with newcomers Curacao coached by Dick Advocaat, Ivory Coast and Ecuador."The group is manageable, but it will still be challenging for us.
- We would like to win the group stage games," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told broadcasters ZDF."Ivory Coast and Ecuador are two very good teams.
- Curacao is of course a bit unknown, but they have many players born in Holland who have been trained to a high standard in Europe."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland remember 2018England first face Croatia who beat them in the 2018 semis, and finish against Panama, who they trounced 6-1 in the group stage at the same event with the help of a Harry Kane hat-trick.
- They are also up against Ghana in Group L. European champions Spain are in Group H with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay; and Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo starts his last World Cup in Group K against Uzbekistan, Colombia and an intercontinental play-off winner. Group F features the Netherlands, Japan, a European play-off winner and Tunisia.
- Group G brings together Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFull schedule on SaturdayThe June 11-July 19, 2026, tournament is held in three countries for the first time and expanded from 32 to 48 teams who will play 104 matches, up from 64, in 16 stadiums.