The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11th, 2026, with co-hosts Mexico opening the tournament against South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca, which previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
Mexico will aim to surpass their 1986 quarter-final run on home soil, hoping to break a streak of seven straight last-16 exits before failing to escape their group in 2022.
“There are no small opponents,” said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. “We must stay focused and work hard. We’re repeating our opening match from 15 years ago, and we must be ready.”
The second match of the day will see South Korea face a yet-to-be-determined playoff winner after Friday’s intricate draw. The United States and Canada, Mexico’s co-hosts, make their debuts the next day.
The US, seeded in the top pot, received a favourable group featuring Paraguay, Australia and a playoff qualifier. Canada, also seeded despite being ranked 27th in the world, faces Switzerland, Qatar and a playoff winner—potentially Italy.
Defending champions Argentina will face Algeria, Austria and tournament newcomers Jordan. Five-time champions Brazil were drawn with 2022 semifinalists Morocco, along with Haiti and Scotland.
Scotland returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, while Haiti’s only previous appearance was in 1974.
France begins its campaign with a rematch of one of the biggest upsets in tournament history, opening against Senegal—who famously beat the reigning champions in 2002. Norway and a playoff team round out the group.
England start against Croatia and will also meet Panama and Ghana. In one of the tournament’s standout stories, Curaçao, population 150,000 and the smallest nation ever to qualify, will play Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
World No. 1 Spain drew Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The Netherlands were placed with Japan, Tunisia and a playoff qualifier. Belgium drew Egypt, Iran and New Zealand; while Portugal will face debutants Uzbekistan, Colombia and a playoff winner.
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Teams outside the host nations’ groups will learn their venues and kickoff times on Saturday as FIFA works to optimise scheduling for global television audiences.
A newly introduced seeding system ensures the current top four—Spain, Argentina, France and England—cannot meet until the semifinals, though major clashes still loom across the bracket.
France, runners-up in 2022, may like their group but face a daunting potential knockout run: Germany in the last 16, the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and Spain in the semifinals.
England’s route is equally imposing, with potential meetings against Mexico, Brazil—whom England have never beaten at a World Cup—and Argentina standing between them and a first final since 1966.
