KEY POINTS
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to span across three countries US, Canada, Mexico
- The World Cup will begin on June 11 in Mexico City and culminate with the final on July 19 in New Jersey.
- The ‘Group of Death’ likely to be Groups A, D, G, and L with tough teams.
- The final list of teams will be confirmed by March 31, 2026 after playoffs.
ISLAMABAD: The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, was a landmark event not only for football fans but also for global politics.
With three host nations, Mexico, Canada, and the United States, 42 out of 48 teams that have qualified so far the fans now know their fate as they prepare for the highly anticipated event of 2026.
Groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026
- Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and one of Denmark, Macedonia, Czechia, or Ireland
- Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
- Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, and one of Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo
- Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania
- Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
- Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
- Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, and one of Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname
- Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
- Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and one of DRC, Jamaica, or New Caledonia
- Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
The Format of the Tournament
The 2026 World Cup will have a revised format, introducing a round of 32. The group stage will consist of 12 groups of four teams, each playing round-robin against each other.
The top two teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-place finishers.
Following the group stage, the knockout rounds will begin with the round of 32, progressing to the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the final.
The ‘Group of Death’
In every major tournament, there is always a group that stands out as the most competitive, often referred to as the “Group of Death.”
For 2026, that title is likely to be claimed by Groups A, D, G, and L. These groups feature a mix of high-ranking and top-performing teams, making them particularly tough to navigate.
Must-Watch Group-Stage Matches
As teams gear up for the tournament, fans are already excited about several highly anticipated group-stage clashes. Among the most anticipated matchups are:
- Brazil vs Morocco
- USA vs Paraguay
- England vs Croatia
- Netherlands vs Japan
- Iran vs Egypt
- Spain vs Uruguay
- France vs Senegal
- Argentina vs Austria
- Algeria vs Jordan
- Portugal vs Colombia
Major Teams Missing from the World Cup
Despite the large number of teams participating, some major footballing nations will not be at the 2026 World Cup. Notable absentees include Nigeria, Chile, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Greece, and Serbia.
These omissions highlight the increasingly competitive nature of global football and the difficulty of securing qualification.
The Future of Icons: Ronaldo and Messi
Two of the biggest stars in football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have both expressed their intent to participate in the 2026 World Cup, though their roles may depend on their fitness levels.
ALSO READ: Donald Trump Awarded FIFA Peace Prize at 2026 World Cup Draw
Ronaldo, at 41, has confirmed that 2026 will be his final World Cup, while Messi has expressed a desire to defend Argentina’s title but remains realistic about his age and fitness.
Trump’s Remarks at the Draw
The draw, which determined the group stages for the 42 qualified teams, was also marked by the presentation of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the draw, President Trump spoke briefly, thanking his family and fellow leaders of the host nations. He expressed his pride in being part of such a historic event and made a somewhat controversial comment that “the world is a safer place now,” referring to his efforts in global peacekeeping.
✅ Final Draw
⏳ #FIFAWorldCup 2026 pic.twitter.com/JccslA508b— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2025
Playoffs and Final Teams
While the 42 teams have been confirmed, there are still spots to be filled. The European qualification playoffs will determine the last four UEFA spots, with the intercontinental playoffs deciding the final two teams.
The intercontinental playoffs will feature teams from regions outside Europe, such as Bolivia, DR Congo, and Iraq.
The final list of 48 teams will be confirmed by March 31, 2026, when the last of the European and intercontinental playoff matches take place.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, with the final match set to take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Politically Charged Build-up
The excitement for the World Cup began weeks before the official draw, as political tension surrounded the event.
United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were all in attendance, representing the co-host nations.
The event, which symbolized the unity of the three countries, also brought attention to Trump’s role in global politics.
Why was Trump awarded the FIFA Peace Prize?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize to President Trump, who had been a central figure in peace negotiations in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Infantino praised Trump for his “exceptional and extraordinary” efforts to promote peace and unity around the world.
The medal, Infantino said, was a “beautiful piece” that Trump could wear wherever he went.
Trump’s controversial global diplomacy, including ceasefire agreements and negotiations in Gaza, contributed to his receiving the prestigious award.
