The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has revealed the fixtures for international football tournament being held in America, Canada and Mexico next year.
The 48-team tournament will see strong representation of Arab teams, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Jordan all having qualified.
Thrilling matches to look forward to include Morocco v Brazil, Saudi Arabia facing Spain and newcomers Jordan versus holders Argentina.
World Cup 2026 Draw
The full draw has been made, with a schedule to be released at a later date:
- 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
Format and remaining qualifiers
The top two teams from each section and eight best third-place teams from the groups will progress to the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Six of the 48 teams at FIFA World Cup 2026 have yet to be determined, and will only be known in March 2026.
Four will come from the 16-team UEFA play-offs, which will be contested by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine and Wales.
The other two spots will be contested by six teams – Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
A record six Arab teams will compete in the tournament—the largest Arab presence in any World Cup to date. Iraq also remains in contention through the intercontinental play-offs, which could raise the total number of Arab participants to seven.
The draw ceremony was held today in a grand event at the historic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., attended by US President Donald Trump, as part of preparations for the United States, Canada, and Mexico to host next summer’s World Cup—marking the first edition to feature 48 teams, including seven Arab nations.
According to the group allocations, Qatar were drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and a European play-off qualifier, while Morocco were placed in Group C with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.
Tunisia were drawn into Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, and a European play-off qualifier, whereas Egypt were placed in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.
Saudi Arabia were drawn into Group H, where they will face Spain, Uruguay, and Cabo Verde.
Group J includes two Arab teams—Algeria and Jordan—alongside Argentina and Austria.
The identities of six of the 48 participating teams have yet to be determined. These remaining places will be filled in March 2026, with four teams advancing from the European play-offs, which include 16 national sides. Meanwhile, six teams—including Iraq—will compete for the two available berths in the intercontinental play-offs: Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
Before the draw took place US President Donald Trump was named the first winner of the newly created Fifa peace prize, claiming “the world is a safer place now” as he received the award in Washington DC.
Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president presented the honour onstage at the Kennedy Centre.
