Road to 2026 Begins: World Cup Groups Revealed

The draw for the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup is officially complete. Held on December 5th in Washington, D.C., the event has unveiled the full lineup for the upcoming group stage, featuring 48 teams and 12 groups. This is not only a major shift in the competitive dynamic of the tournament, but also a first in its history. With fresh matchups, exciting changes, and stakes higher than ever, the stage is set for another unforgettable edition.

Here's a full breakdown of the group stage draw:
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, European Play-Off D Winner
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European Play-Off A Winner
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, European Play-Off C Winner
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European Play-Off B Winner
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Confederation Play-Off Winner
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Confederation Play-Off Winner
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

42 nations are currently confirmed for the tournament, with six places still to be decided. This will be done through the European and Inter-Confederation play-offs. Taking place in March 2026 in the build-up to the grand event, these matches will provide an exciting preview for what fans can expect and could drastically influence the outcome of several groups.

This 23rd edition of the World Cup will also mark the introduction of a revamped structure, with 48 nations set to take part. A 12-group format will be utilised to account for this, with each side set to play three matches in the group stage. Whilst traditionally only the top two teams from each group would advance to the knockouts, eight slots have been allocated to the best third-placed teams during the group stage, meaning a total of 32 nations will make it to the knockout round. This change will open the door for more nations to have a deeper influence in the tournament, and could even see the emergence of several underdogs who would have previously struggled to make it out of their groups. With so much to play for, each point earned has become even more critical.

From established football giants such as Brazil, Germany, Spain and many more, to ambitious challengers and rising nations, the 2026 World Cup promises a matchday experience like no other. Don't hesitate. Purchase your tickets for the world’s most celebrated sporting event with FootballTicketStore through our secure online booking system and be a part of football history in the making!