World Cup 2026 groups confirmed after Iraq qualifies

Football fans are now looking ahead to June, when the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in an expanded format featuring 48 national teams for the first time.

The 12 groups have been confirmed as follows: Group A includes Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia, while Group B features Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland. Group C comprises Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, and Group D consists of the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. In Group E are Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador, while Group F comprises the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.

Group G includes Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, while Group H comprises Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Group I consists of France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, and Group J features Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Group K includes Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, whereas Group L contains England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.

The opening match will see Mexico face South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium near New York.

A total of 16 stadiums will host matches across the three countries, marking the largest World Cup in history. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the round of 32.