The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalised the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the ceremony, highlighting the close coordination between the three host nations. The draw divided the teams into 12 groups of four, with six spots to be filled via March 2026 playoffs.
Trump receives inaugural FIFA Peace Prize
In a political twist, President Trump was awarded FIFA’s newly created Peace Prize for his “efforts to promote peace and unity worldwide.” Trump, who has campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize in the past, accepted the award with a gold medal and a trophy depicting hands holding up the globe.
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” he said, thanking his family, First Lady Melania Trump, and fellow leaders Sheinbaum and Carney.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a long-time associate of Trump, praised his peace-brokering efforts, calling them “incredible” and promising ongoing support.
The Draw Process
The 48 teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings. Host nations were placed in Pot 1: Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B, and the United States in Group D. Top-ranked teams—including Spain, Argentina, France, and England—were positioned to avoid meeting each other until the semi-finals.
The draw also featured several newcomers and returning nations: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debuts, while South Korea continues its streak of consecutive appearances. Sixteen teams that missed the 2022 tournament—including Haiti, returning for the first time since 1974—have already qualified, highlighting the expanded tournament’s global reach.
Debuts and Returning Nations
Four countries—Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan—will make their World Cup debuts, with up to two more qualifying through playoffs.
Sixteen teams that missed the 2022 tournament, including Haiti (returning for the first time since 1974), have already qualified. South Korea continues its streak of consecutive appearances, showcasing the expanded tournament’s global reach.
Key Group Draws
Spotlight on key groups
Group D: The U.S. will face Australia, Paraguay, and a European playoff winner, with recent encounters against Australia and Paraguay offering strategic insight. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has emphasised tactical versatility, while players like Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic stress preparation and focus over the notion of “favourable groups.”
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and a European qualifier draw attention for both opportunities and challenges, with the host nation relying on home advantage and historical performances to navigate the group stage.
Group I: Norway returns to the tournament for the first time since 1998, facing tough competition from France and Senegal.
Tournament kickoff
The World Cup will begin on 11 June 2026, with Mexico hosting South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, followed by South Korea taking on a European playoff winner. The United States and Canada will start on 12 June, facing Paraguay and a playoff winner—possibly Italy—in Los Angeles and Toronto, respectively.
Defending champions Argentina will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, while five-time winners Brazil meet Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. France opens against Senegal, and England faces Croatia, revisiting their 2018 semi-final clash.
Full match schedules and kickoff times will be announced on Saturday, with adjustments expected once the six playoff qualification spots are finalised in March 2026.
Entertainment and celebrities
The draw featured performances from Andrea Bocelli (opening with Nessun Dorma), Lauryn Hill (paying tribute to Bob Marley alongside his son YG Marley), and Robbie Williams with Nicole Scherzinger performing FIFA’s official hymn Desire.
Sports icons including Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Aaron Judge joined ceremonial proceedings, while comedian Kevin Hart brought levity by joking about whether the sport should be called “soccer” or “football.”
With a record 48 teams and co-hosting across three nations, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most widely anticipated tournaments in history.
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