The official draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been completed, mapping out the opening fixtures for football’s biggest stage across North America.

The tournament, which will unfold in stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, features a record 48 teams.

Arab nations have secured an impressive presence this cycle. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan are all confirmed participants. Among their anticipated clashes: Morocco is set to challenge Brazil; Saudi Arabia will lock horns with Spain; and tournament newcomers Jordan face a formidable test against reigning champions Argentina.

World Cup 2026 Groups Announced

FIFA released the full group-stage draw over the weekend. The schedule of matches is still to come but group compositions are now confirmed:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Winner UEFA Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner UEFA Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner UEFA Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner UEFA Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner FIFA Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner FIFA Play-off 1 , Uzbekistan , Colombia
Group L: England , Croatia , Ghana , Panama

Tournament Format and Qualifying Spots Still Up for Grabs

The path to the knockout stages remains familiar but with more teams vying for glory: from each group’s four teams the top two advance automatically while eight of the best third-place finishers round out a last-32 bracket.

This expanded format means six places remain undecided. These final slots will only be allocated after play-offs scheduled for March 2026. Of these qualifying rounds: four spots are reserved for European nations contesting a sixteen-team UEFA playoff pool featuring Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Czechia , Denmark , Italy , Kosovo , Northern Ireland , North Macedonia , Poland , Republic of Ireland , Romania , Slovakia , Sweden , Türkiye , Ukraine and Wales.

The remaining two berths will be filled through intercontinental playoffs among Bolivia , Congo DR , Iraq , Jamaica , New Caledonia and Suriname.

A notable moment ahead of the draw took place in Washington DC where US President Donald Trump was named as the inaugural recipient of FIFA's new peace prize. "The world is a safer place now," Trump said at the Kennedy Center ceremony as FIFA President Gianni Infantino handed him the award onstage.