The groups for the highly-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 have been announced on Wednesday. The tournament, which will begin from June 11 and will end on July 19, will be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Among the notable exclusions is that of four-time champions Italy, who have failed to qualify for the third straight time.
FIFA World Cup 2026 groups
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia
Group B
Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group C
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D
USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group E
Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
Group H
Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I
Iraq, France, Senegal, Norway
Group J
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K
Congo DR, Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Italy were booted out after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Qualifiers. 48 teams will take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament will commence with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the first game on June 11 in Mexico City.
Top two teams from each group will qualify for the Round of 32 and will be joined by 8 teams who finish as the third best-placed.
FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule
| Date (2026) | Match / Phase | Teams | Venue |
| June 11 | Opening Match (A1) | Mexico vs South Africa | Mexico City, MX |
| June 11 | Group A | South Korea vs Czech Republic | Guadalajara, MX |
| June 12 | Group B | Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | Toronto, CAN |
| June 12 | Group D | USA vs Paraguay | Los Angeles, USA |
| June 13 | Group B | Qatar vs Switzerland | San Francisco, USA |
| June 13 | Group C | Brazil vs Morocco | New Jersey, USA |
| June 13 | Group D | Australia vs Turkey | Vancouver, CAN |
| June 14 | Group C | Haiti vs Scotland | Boston, USA |
| June 14 | Group E | Germany vs Curacao | Houston, USA |
| June 14 | Group F | Netherlands vs Japan | Dallas, USA |
| June 15 | Group G | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle, USA |
| June 15 | Group H | Spain vs Cape Verde | Atlanta, USA |
| June 16 | Group I | France vs Senegal | New Jersey, USA |
| June 17 | Group J | Argentina vs Algeria | Kansas City, USA |
| June 17 | Group L | England vs Croatia | Dallas, USA |
| June 18 | Group A | Mexico vs South Korea | Guadalajara, MX |
| June 19 | Group D | USA vs Australia | Seattle, USA |
| June 20 | Group E | Germany vs Ivory Coast | Toronto, CAN |
| June 24 | Group B | Switzerland vs Canada | Vancouver, CAN |
| June 25 | Group A | Czech Republic vs Mexico | Mexico City, MX |
| June 26 | Group L | England vs Ghana | Boston, USA |
| June 27 | Group H | Uruguay vs Spain | Guadalajara, MX |
| June 28 – July 3 | Round of 32 | Top 2 from each group + 8 best 3rd | Various (N. America) |
| July 4 – July 7 | Round of 16 | Winners of R32 | Various (N. America) |
| July 9 – July 11 | Quarter-finals | Winners of R16 | Boston, LA, Miami, KC |
| July 14 – July 15 | Semi-finals | Winners of QF | Dallas, Atlanta |
| July 18 | Third Place | Semifinal Losers | Miami, USA |
| July 19 | FINAL | Semifinal Winners | New Jersey, USA |
