The official draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., revealing 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament and confirming Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.
Leaders from the three host nations — U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum — attended the event. In a high-profile moment, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Mr. Trump with FIFA’s newly created Peace Prize.
Tournament Format and Progression
- Format: 48 teams split into 12 groups of four.
- Group-stage: Each team plays the other three once.
- Knockouts: The top two teams from each group (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a round of 32, followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
This structure increases the number of knockout matches compared with past tournaments and creates more opportunities for upsets and drama.
Confirmed Teams and Group Placements
The draw confirmed 42 qualified nations and placeholders for teams still to be decided in March 2026. Confirmed participants include football heavyweights across all confederations — Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Spain and more.
Selected group highlights from the draw:
- Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, plus one of (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)
- Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, plus one of (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia)
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
- Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, plus one of (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
- Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
- Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
(See full group list in the draw release; several slots will be filled after European and intercontinental playoffs conclude in March 2026.)
Groups to Watch and Top Group-Stage Matches
Organizers and pundits flagged several potentially brutal pools — notably Groups A, D, G and L — as candidates for a “group of death” where top teams could be eliminated early. Must-watch fixtures named by commentators included:
- Brazil vs Morocco
- USA vs Paraguay
- England vs Croatia
- Netherlands vs Japan
- Spain vs Uruguay
Playoffs, Remaining Spots and Schedule
- European playoffs: 16 teams compete for four remaining UEFA berths (semifinals March 26; finals March 31, 2026).
- Intercontinental playoffs: Six teams — including seeded Iraq and DR Congo — will contest two final spots (semifinals March 23; final March 31).
All 48 finalists will be confirmed by March 31, 2026.
Why Trump Received FIFA’s Peace Prize
FIFA created the annual Peace Prize in November to honor individuals it says promote unity or hope. At the draw, Infantino presented the inaugural award to President Trump; Infantino praised the recipient for “exceptional and extraordinary” actions, and Trump publicly thanked the organizers and fellow leaders, calling the event “one of the great honours of my life.”
Player Watch: Ronaldo and Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo has said the 2026 tournament will be his farewell World Cup.
- Lionel Messi, 2022 winners’ captain for Argentina, says he will decide on participation based on fitness and form, but remains hopeful about defending the title.
