World Cup 2026 Groups: All Groups from A to L

The draw has been made, and for the first time in the tournament’s history, 48 nations will compete across the 12 World Cup 2026 groups of four. Held on 5 December 2025 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., the draw set the stage for what promises to be the most expansive World Cup ever staged, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. For England supporters, Group L is the fixture that matters: the Three Lions face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in what looks, on paper, a very manageable path to the knockout rounds. Scotland, meanwhile, land in Group C alongside Brazil, a stiffer challenge for Steve Clarke’s side in their first World Cup since 1998. This is your complete guide to all 12 groups, the draw rules, the contenders, and what it all means from a betting perspective.

How the Draw Worked: Four Pots, Twelve Groups

The 48 qualified teams were divided into four pots of 12, with each group containing one team drawn from each pot. The composition of the pots was based on the FIFA Men’s World Ranking published on 19 November 2025. Pot 1 consisted of the three host nations, Mexico, Canada and the United States, plus the nine highest-ranked qualified teams: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The remaining three pots were filled in descending ranking order, with Pot 4 containing the lowest-ranked qualifiers along with six placeholders for the teams still to qualify via the UEFA and inter-confederation play-offs at the time of the draw.

A fundamental restriction prevented teams from the same confederation being placed in the same group, with the sole exception of UEFA, where the sheer volume of European qualifiers (16 nations) meant each group was required to contain either one or two European sides. A second restriction, introduced specifically for 2026 “in the interest of competitive balance”, established two separate semi-final pathways. The top two ranked teams, Spain (1st) and Argentina (2nd), were drawn into opposite brackets, as were France (3rd) and England (4th). Should all four win their groups, none of them can meet until the semi-finals at the earliest, and Spain cannot face Argentina before the final.

The three host nations were pre-assigned: Mexico to Group A, Canada to Group B and the United States to Group D. The draw then proceeded pot by pot, with each team allocated to the next available group alphabetically. The result is 12 groups, A through L, with fixtures spread across 16 venues in three countries. The top two finishers in each group advance automatically to the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. A total of 104 matches will be played throughout the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Groups A to L: Full Breakdown

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

The hosts draw the short straw in terms of scrutiny, every Mexico performance at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be watched by a fervent home crowd expecting progress. South Korea arrive with genuine quality in midfield, and Czechia, having edged the European play-off Path D final against Denmark on penalties, are no pushovers. South Africa’s return to a World Cup for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010 is the sentimental story of the group, but they are realistically competing for a third-place finish. Mexico should qualify, but the second automatic berth looks genuinely open. The opening match of the entire tournament, Mexico vs South Africa on 11 June in Mexico City, doubles as an echo of the 2010 opener between the same two nations.

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Canada are the hosts here and arrive with genuine momentum, their generation of Premier League and Champions League players, including Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, has transformed a nation historically overlooked on the football map. Switzerland are the technically accomplished European side who make every tournament but rarely impose themselves on it. Bosnia and Herzegovina, qualifying via the European play-offs, are the romantic story; Qatar, defending their status as a qualified nation rather than automatic hosts for the first time, will struggle. Canada as group winners looks a reasonable assumption; the second place is between Switzerland and Bosnia.

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since France 1998 could scarcely have handed them a more daunting opener: Haiti in Boston before facing Morocco and then, in the final group fixture, Brazil in Miami. Steve Clarke’s side qualified with genuine grit through European qualifying, and the presence of Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and Che Adams gives them more quality than their FIFA ranking suggests. Realistically, Scotland need to beat Haiti in their opening fixture and then hope for a favour elsewhere to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams. Brazil are the heavy group favourites and should be expected to top the section with ease. Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, are a well-drilled side under Walid Regragui and will expect to finish second. For those betting on the World Cup, Scotland at odds to progress as a third-place qualifier represents the most compelling line in the group.

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

The USMNT open at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood against Paraguay on 12 June, and Gregg Berhalter’s side will fancy their chances in front of a partisan home crowd. Türkiye, who qualified through the European play-off Path C by defeating Kosovo, are the most technically dangerous side in the group and could push the Americans hard. Australia’s Socceroos have developed into a resilient knockabout side, while Paraguay bring South American pragmatism. The United States should advance as group winners, but Türkiye represent a realistic challenger for second place.

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador

Germany enter as one of the tournament’s genuine dark horses under Julian Nagelsmann, with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala providing the creative spark that has long been absent from Die Mannschaft’s tournament football. Curaçao make history as the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, the Caribbean island has a population of approximately 156,000, and their group opener against Germany in Houston will be a chastening experience. Côte d’Ivoire’s AFCON-winning generation brings quality, and Ecuador’s South American pedigree makes them dangerous. Germany topping this group is close to a formality; the real battle is for second place between Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador. Check our full [World Cup 2026 odds](/world-cup-2026-odds/) for the latest outright markets.

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

The Netherlands are three-time World Cup finalists still chasing that elusive first title, and Ronald Koeman’s side, built around the creative excellence of Tijjani Reijnders and the goals of Memphis Depay, arrive as clear group favourites. Japan, however, are no longer a team to be underestimated: they knocked out Germany and Spain en route to the knockout stages at Qatar 2022, and their high-pressing, technically precise game will cause discomfort. Sweden qualified via the back door, through the UEFA Nations League route and then the play-off, but Alexander Isak’s threat from open play makes them capable of upsetting the order. Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage in seven World Cup appearances. The Netherlands and Japan look the most likely to advance.

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium’s golden generation is ageing but not yet exhausted. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois remain world-class operators, and Roberto Martínez’s successor will be expected to deliver Belgium’s best-ever World Cup finish. Egypt bring Mohamed Salah, who, at 34, may well be playing in his final World Cup, and enough African Cup of Nations pedigree to make them dangerous opponents. Iran’s participation carries significant off-pitch drama given regional tensions, but their group games in California are confirmed. New Zealand, ranked 85th in the world, are the tournament’s lowest-ranked qualifiers and will find progression extremely difficult. Belgium should top the group with relative ease.

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Defending European champions and the current world number one side, Spain are the bookmakers’ overall tournament favourites and will be expected to win this group at a canter. Luis de la Fuente’s side possess the most technically complete squad at the tournament, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri and Álvaro Morata forming a spine of extraordinary quality. Uruguay bring South American grit and a potent forward line, and finishing second behind Spain is a realistic ambition. Saudi Arabia’s ambitions exceed their FIFA ranking following heavy investment in domestic football, whilst Cape Verde, the African qualifier from Group D, are a team of honest professionals who will fight hard but are unlikely to threaten the top two. Spain’s odds to win the group are the shortest of any side in the tournament.

Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq

See the dedicated section below, this is the tournament’s Group of Death.

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, are installed as overwhelming group favourites and, indeed, among the leading overall contenders at odds for the World Cup 2026. Messi knows this is almost certainly his final World Cup, and the motivation within the squad to deliver him a second title is palpable. Austria, who return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, are a technically sound European side and represent the main obstacle to Argentina’s expected group victory. Algeria, who have never gone beyond the round of 16, and Jordan, making their debut, are unlikely to threaten the top two. Argentina as group winners is as close to a certainty as the tournament offers.

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal into what could be his final World Cup campaign at the age of 41, and Roberto Martínez’s squad is deep enough to progress regardless of the iconic forward’s physical condition. Colombia are the genuine second-place contenders here, James Rodríguez remains a creative force, and their South American qualifying campaign was among the most impressive in CONMEBOL. DR Congo qualify via the inter-confederation play-off, ending a 52-year absence from the tournament, while Uzbekistan make their debut. Portugal should top the group; the battle for second between Colombia and DR Congo is the most intriguing secondary contest in Group K.

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The Three Lions could hardly have asked for a kinder draw. England, ranked fourth in the world and one of the tournament’s semi-final pathway favourites, open their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 15 June, a familiar and winnable fixture given England’s victory over the same opponents in the 2018 World Cup group stage. Ghana, who the Three Lions also faced in 2010 (a quarter-final defeat that still stings), bring Premier League-seasoned talent in Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo, but are not the side that threatened at previous tournaments. Panama, competing in their second World Cup, are organised but limited in quality. England should win this group without significant drama.

Gareth Southgate’s successor, whoever manages the side, will have the core of the squad that reached the Euro 2024 final: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Kane’s goalscoring record on the international stage means he will be among the leading Golden Boot contenders. England’s group fixtures will be broadcast on BBC and ITV, with streaming available via iPlayer and ITVX, respectively. For a full analysis of England’s chances, see our dedicated England World Cup 2026 guide. The Three Lions are among the leading outright contenders in the current World Cup 2026 odds markets.

Group I: The Group of Death – France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq

Every World Cup produces one section that makes even the most experienced football observer wince, and in 2026 that honour belongs unambiguously to Group I. France, Norway, Senegal and Iraq share a section where even a relatively modest side, Iraq, making their first World Cup since Mexico 1986, can ill afford to relax for a single minute of football.

France are the group favourites and overall tournament contenders. Didier Deschamps possesses arguably the most talented squad on the planet: Kylian Mbappé finished as the 2022 World Cup’s leading scorer with eight goals and will turn 27 during the tournament, operating at the absolute peak of his powers. Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and a deep, physically imposing midfield make France the most complete side in the group. Their opening fixture against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York will be one of the most-anticipated matches of the entire group stage.

Norway, however, are not the side that would have been here ten years ago. Erling Haaland, who scored 22 goals in the 2024-25 Premier League season, transforms any squad into a genuine knockout-round threat. He will be the most single-mindedly dangerous centre-forward in North America this summer. Norway’s qualifying campaign was exceptional; they topped their European group ahead of Italy. The France vs Norway fixture will be one of the standout matches of the group stage: the world’s best creative forward (Mbappé) against arguably the world’s most lethal finisher (Haaland).

Senegal, AFCON champions in 2021 and 2022 and quarter-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, are no also-rans. Sadio Mané may be past his absolute peak, but the squad has depth, tactical discipline and the self-belief of a generation that knows it can compete with Europe’s best. Iraq, who edged Bolivia 2-1 in the inter-confederation play-off final in Monterrey, are participating in their first World Cup since 1986, a remarkable achievement given the turbulence surrounding their football infrastructure, but they face an almost impossible task. Three points from their fixtures against Senegal and Norway might be enough for a best third-place finish; qualification at France or Norway’s expense is beyond realistic expectation.

From a betting perspective, France to win Group I is the obvious market. The more interesting line is Norway vs Senegal for second place, and the match between those two sides in Boston will likely determine who accompanies Les Bleus into the knockout rounds.

All 12 World Cup 2026 Groups: Full Table