The full roadmap to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally been revealed, as Friday’s draw ceremony in Washington laid bare all 12 groups of the first-ever 48-team edition. The night opened with a symbolic moment when U.S. President Donald Trump received FIFA’s Peace Award on stage at the Kennedy Centre before the draw officially commenced.
The complete match schedule, venues and kick-off times will be confirmed later on Saturday, when FIFA president Gianni Infantino announces the finalised programme—giving all teams just six months to fine-tune preparations before the tournament kicks off on June 11.
Reigning world champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, begin their title defence in Group J against Algeria, with further fixtures against Austria and debutants Jordan. On paper, the draw favours Argentina, yet the expanded knockout bracket ensures zero margin for error.
Spain, the current European champions, also land a comfortable start in Group H as they open against first-timers Cape Verde, followed by tough but manageable contests versus Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
England, under Thomas Tuchel and chasing a first World Cup crown since 1966, headline Group L. They will be widely backed to finish top against Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
Meanwhile, France face one of the tournament’s trickiest groups. Drawn in Group I, they meet African powerhouse Senegal and Erling Haaland’s Norway, with the final slot reserved for a play-off winner from Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.
For the first time ever, the draw system ensured that the top four ranked nations—Argentina, Spain, France and England—cannot meet until the semi-final stage, provided they top their groups and survive the expanded knockout route.
But with an extra elimination round now inserted after the group stage, the path to the final has never looked more dangerous. One slip, one shock defeat, or a moment of chaos could upend even the strongest campaign.
Football’s biggest stage is set, the narratives are written, and 48 nations are now only months away from a historic and unpredictable World Cup—one that promises scale, spectacle and seismic upsets.
