Holders Argentina and European champions Spain received manageable draws for the 2026 World Cup during a star-studded ceremony in Washington on Friday, an event that also saw US President Donald Trump awarded FIFA’s new peace prize.
The draw, held six months before the first-ever 48-team World Cup, highlighted some intriguing matchups, with defending champions Argentina set to face Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan in Group J. Lionel Messi’s side will look to defend their 2022 trophy in Qatar with a favorable path.
Spain, another tournament favorite, will open against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde, before playing Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
England, led by Thomas Tuchel, will contend with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L, while two-time winners France face tough tests in Group I against Senegal, Norway, and an intercontinental play-off winner from Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will run from June 11 to July 19 and feature 48 teams—16 more than in Qatar 2022—resulting in 104 matches compared to 64 last time. The US will host the majority of games, including the final at MetLife Stadium outside New York, while Mexico and Canada will each host multiple matches.
Speaking at the Kennedy Center, Trump praised the hosting nations and his recognition:
“It is truly one of the great honors of my life. It is such an honor to be with Gianni. He has done such an incredible job,” Trump said, referring to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“The world is a safer place now. The United States a year ago was not going too well, but now it is the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were also in attendance. Despite freezing snow outside, the indoor ceremony featured performances by the Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli, while stars including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal helped conduct the draw. Supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart co-hosted the event.
Other notable group placements include:
• Co-host Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa in Group A.
• Brazil and Morocco, joined by Scotland and Haiti, make up Group C.
• Germany will face Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curacao in Group E.
• Portugal is in Group K alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a play-off winner.
• The United States will face Paraguay, Australia, and a European play-off winner in Group D.
Infantino described the scale of the tournament:
“It will be the greatest World Cup ever, the greatest event that humanity has ever seen. We have three beautiful countries, 16 wonderful host cities, 48 excellent teams who will compete in 104 matches to become the one and only world champion. This is like 104 Super Bowls in one month — this is the magnitude of what we are organizing.”
Six World Cup spots remain to be decided in March’s playoffs, and teams will learn their exact match venues and kick-off times on Saturday, a day after the draw.
Full 2026 World Cup Groups:
• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, qualifier
• Group B: Canada, qualifier, Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, qualifier
• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, qualifier, Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, qualifier, Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, qualifier, Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama