The groups for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup were finalized Friday in a high-profile draw at Washington’s Kennedy Center — an event featuring global entertainers, sports icons, and the surprise presentation of FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.
The draw placed 48 nations into 12 groups of four (Groups A–L). The tournament will open June 11, 2026, in Mexico City with Mexico vs. South Africa. The United States, Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting next year’s World Cup.
Final Group Assignments
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D winner
Group B: Canada, UEFA Playoff A winner, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C winner
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Playoff B winner, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2 winner, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1 winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Group I Emerges as the Early “Group of Death”
Group I — France, Senegal, Norway, and a FIFA playoff entrant — was immediately labeled the tournament’s toughest draw.
France manager Didier Deschamps called it a “very tough group” and said his team “cannot rest,” according to the Associated Press.
Favorable Draws for the United States and Spain
The United States landed in Group D with Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of the UEFA Playoff C path (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo).
Former U.S. international Taylor Twellman described the placement as potentially “the best draw the US men have ever had,” adding that the Americans “100% should feel confident that they have every opportunity to win that group,” CNN reported.
Spain, the world’s No. 1 team and reigning European champion, drew Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H.
Defending champion Argentina will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J.
Brazil opens against Morocco — a 2022 semifinalist — before matches with Scotland and Haiti in Group C. Morocco coach Walid Regragui said “everyone wants to beat us” after being paired with the five-time champions, the AP reported.
Trump Awarded Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize
The ceremony included a surprise moment when FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented President Donald Trump with the organization’s first FIFA Peace Prize, introduced earlier this year.
Trump said the award was “truly one of the great honors of my life,” according to AP reports. Infantino praised Trump’s efforts to work toward peace “around the world.”
Star-Studded Ceremony
The draw featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, Lauryn Hill, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger, concluding with a rendition of “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People that drew loud applause from Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
Six World Cup berths remain undecided and will be filled through playoff tournaments in March. FIFA will release the full match schedule today.
