US EditionHere Are the Groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 48-team World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center assigns teams to 12 groups, with six spots decided in playoffs next spring, expanding from 32 teams previously.
- FIFA held the group-stage draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC, for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, with 42 teams already qualified.
- By seeding teams into four pots based on FIFA rankings, the draw followed established confederation rules and included six playoff slots represented by European Playoff winner A–D and FIFA Playoff winner 1–2 placeholders.
- The three co-hosts United States, Canada and Mexico are top seeds and avoid several top nations, while confederation rules limit groups to two UEFA teams and one from other confederations.
- Fans can now map potential routes across 16 host cities, but visa process delays, ticket pricing and safety fears could deter some supporters from traveling to matches.
- Political attention centers on President Donald Trump and FIFA's new Peace Prize at the draw, with Trump taking credit for securing the bid and the Iran Football Federation reversing its boycott amid visa issues.
153 Articles
153 Articles
On December 5, the World Cup groups were raffled, but the ZDF interrupted the show abruptly. The spectators were angry about the decision.
The rivals who will face each other in the first phase of the World Cup have already been defined, and some of them are already generating discussion.
New England joins global celebration for FIFA World Cup draw
FOXBORO — Most of the nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico, Canada and the United States next June, learned their group stage fate on Friday afternoon, as the world soccer governing body held the tournament’s final draw at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. An expanded World Cup field — it’s now 48 countries, up from 32 — means better odds of advancing from the group stage and into the k…
FIFA 2026 World Cup: 12 Groups Take Shape for Opening Round in June
WASHINGTON—Following a lot of suspense, the groups and opening matchups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are set. Argentina will look to defend its title as world champ. Haiti qualified for the first time in 52 years. There was a drawing at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 5 that featured NFL icon Tom Brady, NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky mixing up little shells and …
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