The 2026 FIFA World Cup groups are here, and we finally know which teams will be taking the field across North America next summer, including right here in DFW! With 48 teams and the biggest tournament in World Cup history, today’s draw set the stage for group play, major matchups, and early faves!
Updated December 2025
THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW
The FIFA World Cup Draw is the ceremony where all the qualified teams are placed into groups to determine who plays who in the opening stage of the tournament. Nations are split into different “pots” based on rankings and regions, and as names are drawn, each team is assigned to a group — creating the matchups, schedules, and early storylines for the World Cup.
It’s essentially the roadmap of the tournament: once the draw is complete, every team knows its opponents, its path forward, and what challenges lie ahead. It’s one of the biggest pre-tournament moments, setting the stage for all the excitement to come.
WHO’S COMING TO DFW?
Dallas will host 9 matches, the most of any host city… and now we know exactly which teams are coming our way! Mark your calendar, here’s what’s locked in for Dallas Stadium:
June 14th: Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F)
June 17th: England vs. Croatia (Group L)
June 22nd: Argentina vs. Austria (Group J)
June 25th: Japan vs. UEFA playoff B (Group F)
June 27th: Jordan vs. Argentina (Group J)
PLUS, we are hosting one of the semifinal games July 14th or 15th!
HOW THE DRAW SHAPED UP
Teams were sorted into 12 groups of four based on FIFA rankings, confederation rules, and competitive balance. The top two teams in each group, plus the eight best third-place finishers, advance to the knockout rounds.
This is the first 48-team World Cup, so the paths to the round of 32 just became a lot more interesting! The groups are:
Group A: Mexico, Korea Republic, South Africa, Winner of Play-Off D
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Winner of Play-Off A
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Winner of Play-Off D
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Winner of Play-Off B
Group G: Belgium, Islamic Republic of Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Winner of Play-Off 2
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Winner of Play-Off 1
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
How the FIFA World Cup Draw Works
The World Cup Draw is the official ceremony where FIFA decides which teams will face each other in the group stage of the tournament. Here’s how it all comes together:
1. Teams Are Placed Into “Pots”: All qualified teams are sorted into four pots based on things like their FIFA ranking and geographic region.
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Pot 1 includes the host nations (USA, Mexico, and Canada) and the highest-ranked teams.
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Pots 2–4 follow in ranked order. The final 6 teams for Group D have yet to be decided -- we'll get that info in April!
2. Groups Are Created: The tournament usually features eight groups (A–H) with four teams each. During the draw, FIFA pulls one team from each pot to form every group — so you’ll end up with a mix of teams from different rankings.
3. There Are Regional Rules: To keep things balanced and globally representative, FIFA avoids placing teams from the same confederation in the same group (with a few exceptions, like Europe).
For example: You won’t see two South American teams in the same group, but you might see two European teams because Europe has more qualifiers.
4. The Draw Sets the Entire Opening Round: Once every group is filled, the match schedule is automatically generated. Teams now know who they play, in what order, and where they’ll travel
5. The Draw Shapes the Tournament’s Storylines: This is where the excitement comes in! Powerhouse clashes, underdog paths, “Group of Death” debates, and early predictions all start here.
FIRST-EVER HALFTIME SHOW
We also learned more about the first-ever World Cup Halftime Show! Coldplay’s Chris Martin and manager Phil Harvey are teaming up with Global Citizen to curate a Super Bowl–level spectacle, featuring big-name performers like J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems — with even more artists expected to join the lineup. The show will spotlight global unity and education, all taking place at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026!
