World Cup 2026: this is how the 12 groups of the first phase were drawn

The 12 groups that will comprise the 48 qualified teams for the twenty-third edition of the FIFA World Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, are now ready. After the draw held in Washington, the 42 qualified countries now know their opponents in the initial phase.

Awaiting confirmation of the last 6 teams qualified in the March playoffs, Spain has been placed in Group H along with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. The Africans will be La Roja's first opponent, followed by the Arabs and the 'charrúas'. 

Unlike the last seven editions, in 2026, along with the top two from each group, the eight best third-placed teams will qualify for a round of 32. That is, teams will have to win 7 matches to reach the final, scheduled for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New York.

The stage is set. Who triumphs? 🏆@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/21qBVC6KlE

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2025

The group stage begins on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. Just as in 2010, the first encounter between Mexicans and South Africans is repeated, while Spain is once again drawn into group H, as happened in their first and so far only World Cup triumph.

Brazil, the powerhouse with the toughest path in the group stage

Group A is completed by South Korea and the winner of the UEFA playoff D, made up of the Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark, and North Macedonia, alongside Mexico and South Africa.

For its part, the winner of the UEFA playoff A, which will emerge from the match between **Wales, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Italy**, will complete Group B alongside **Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland**. The Canadians will debut at home against the European team that wins the playoff.

In Group C, **Brazil** appears, undoubtedly the powerhouse with the most complicated path in the first phase. Carlo Ancelotti's team will face **Morocco**, fourth in the 2026 World Cup, and **Scotland**, which qualified as group leader, surpassing Denmark. **Haiti** completes a zone that will feature Brazil-Morocco as the opening match.

For its part, group D is made up of the United States, Paraguay, Australia and the winner of the UEFA playoff C, made up of Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania.

Spain, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium, favorites in their groups

Spain's rivals and schedule confirmed for the World Cup group stage

In Group E, Germany is emerging as the favorite after two consecutive group stage eliminations (2018 and 2022) for the first time in its history. Julian Nagelsmann's team will face debutants Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, the latter two being formidable opponents. Especially the South Americans, who completed a great qualifying campaign in CONMEBOL.

**The Netherlands**, for its part, will face **Japan, Tunisia**, and the winning team from the playoff between **Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and Albania**. **Belgium**, for its part, will play against **Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand**. **Spain** will do the same against **Cape Verde, Arabia, and Uruguay**The three top seeds in groups F, G, and H are clear favorites. In the case of Spain and Belgium, they could meet in the quarterfinals if both teams advance to this stage as group leaders.

Uncomfortable Rivals for Portugal, France, and England

The group stage will be much more complex for **France**. Didier Deschamps' team, as in 2002, will debut against **Senegal** and had the misfortune of crossing paths with UEFA's 'bogeyman': **Norway**. Group I will be completed by the winner of the playoff between **Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq**.

Argentina, on the other hand, will have a placid initial phase against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, with the pressure, however, of knowing that, in the round of 16, their opponent will be the second-place finisher in group H. That is, the Albiceleste could face Spain or Uruguay in the second round.

Group K can also be tricky for Portugal. The Portuguese will debut against Uzbekistan, but they also have to face Colombia and the winner of the playoff between Jamaica, New Caledonia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo