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World Cup groups 2026: Updated draw results, teams, pairings, times, match schedule and fixtures

Kyle Bonn

World Cup groups 2026: Updated draw results, teams, pairings, times, match schedule and fixtures image

As shades of Argentina's triumph in Qatar remain firmly entrenched in the memory, the 2026 World Cup is right around the corner.

Hosted across North America, 48 teams will descend upon the United States, Canada, and Mexico as the tournament expands the field for the first time in decades.

While Argentina look to defend their title, some of the world's best teams will hope to dethrone the South American giants and keep them from being the first country to repeat as World Cup champions since Brazil over 60 years ago.

The likes of England, France, and Spain will have their eyes on the famous FIFA trophy, while hosts USA will bid to deliver their best ever performance in the tournament's modern format.

AllSportsPeople brings you a look at how the group stage will shape up, and the wider bracket heading into the expanded knockout phase.

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World Cup 2026 groups

World Cup groups 2026

We knew before the draw that Mexico will be in Group A, Canada in Group B, and USA in Group D.

The remaining layout of the group stage was determined at the final draw on December 5.

GroupPot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4
AMexicoSouth KoreaSouth AfricaUEFA Playoff D
BCanadaSwitzerlandQatarUEFA Playoff A
CBrazilMoroccoScotlandHaiti
DUSAAustraliaParaguayUEFA Playoff D
EGermanyEcuadorIvory CoastCuracao
FNetherlandsJapanTunisiaUEFA Playoff B
GBelgiumIranEgyptNew Zealand
HSpainUruguaySaudi ArabiaCape Verde
IFranceSenegalNorwayFIFA Playoff 2
JArgentinaAustriaAlgeriaJordan
KPortugalColombiaUzbekistanFIFA Playoff 1
LEnglandCroatiaPanamaGhana

WORLD CUP DRAW BREAKDOWNS:

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F
Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L

World Cup 2026 kickoff times

2026 FIFA World Cup matches feature regular kickoff times. On the FIFA schedule, as well as below, you will see all times listed in Eastern Time.

Here is a helpful table to help translate some of the most common kickoff times for World Cup matches into many of the major territories around the world.

USA & Canada
(ET)
USA & Canada
(PT: -3 hrs)
UK
(GMT: +5 hrs)
Australia
(AEDT: +14 hrs)
India
(IST: +9.5 hrs)
12 p.m.9 a.m.5 p.m.4 a.m.*9:30 p.m.*
1 p.m.10 a.m.6 p.m.5 a.m.*10:30 p.m.
3 p.m.12 p.m.8 p.m.7 a.m.*12:30 a.m.*
4 p.m.1 p.m.9 p.m.8 a.m.*1:30 a.m.*
5 p.m.2 p.m.10 p.m.9 a.m.*2:30 a.m.*
7 p.m.4 p.m.12 a.m.*11 a.m.*4:30 a.m.*
9 p.m.6 p.m.2 a.m.*1 p.m.*6:30 a.m.*
10 p.m.7 p.m.3 a.m.*2 p.m.*7:30 a.m.*
11 p.m.8 p.m.4 a.m.*3 p.m.*8:30 a.m.*
12 a.m.9 p.m.**5 a.m.4 p.m.9:30 a.m.

* On the following day
** On the previous day

Complete World Cup 2026 match schedule

The World Cup draw was held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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World Cup 2026 group stage

All venues and kickoff times for each group stage match were officially announced by FIFA one day after the draw, on December 6, 2025.

Group A table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Mexico00000000
2.South Africa00000000
3.South Korea00000000
4.UEFA Playoff D00000000

The UEFA Playoff D qualifier will be either Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia

Group A fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Thu, Jun. 113 p.m.Mexico vs. South AfricaMexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 1110 p.m.South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D winnerEstadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 1812 p.m.UEFA Playoff D winner vs. South AfricaMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Thu, Jun. 189 p.m.Mexico vs. South KoreaEstadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 249 p.m.UEFA Playoff D winner vs. MexicoMexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 249 p.m.South Africa vs. South KoreaEstadio Monterrey (Monterrey, MEX)

STADIUM GUIDES: Estadio Azteca | Estadio Akron | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Estadio BBVA

Group B table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Canada00000000
2.UEFA Playoff A00000000
3.Qatar00000000
4.Switzerland00000000

The UEFA Playoff A qualifier will be either Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia & Herzegovina

Group B fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 123 p.m.Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A winnerBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 133 p.m.Qatar vs. SwitzerlandLevi's Stadium (San Francisco, CA)
Thu, Jun. 183 p.m.UEFA Playoff A winner vs. SwitzerlandSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jun. 186 p.m.Canada vs. QatarBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Wed, Jun. 243 p.m.Switzerland vs. CanadaBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Wed, Jun. 243 p.m.UEFA Playoff A winner vs. QatarLumen Field (Seattle, WA)

STADIUM GUIDES: BMO Field | Levi's Stadium | SoFi Stadium | BC Place | Lumen Field

Group C table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Brazil00000000
2.Morocco00000000
3.Haiti00000000
4.Scotland00000000

Group C fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 136 p.m.Brazil vs. MoroccoMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sat, Jun. 139 p.m.Haiti vs. ScotlandGillette Stadium (Boston, MA)
Thu, Jun. 196 p.m.Scotland vs. MoroccoLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Thu, Jun. 199 p.m.Brazil vs. HaitiGillette Stadium (Boston, MA)
Wed, Jun. 246 p.m.Scotland vs. BrazilHard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
Wed, Jun. 246 p.m.Morocco vs. HaitiMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Group D table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.United States00000000
2.Paraguay00000000
3.Australia00000000
4.UEFA Playoff C00000000

The UEFA Playoff C qualifier will be either Slovakia, Turkey, Kosovo, or Romania

Group D fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 129 p.m.United States vs. ParaguaySoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sat, Jun. 1312 a.m.Australia vs. UEFA Playoff C WinnerBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 2012 a.m.UEFA Playoff C Winner vs. ParaguayLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Fri, Jun. 193 p.m.United States vs. AustraliaLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Thu, Jun. 2510 p.m.UEFA Playoff C Winner vs. United StatesSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jun. 2510 p.m.Paraguay vs. AustraliaLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

STADIUM GUIDES: SoFi Stadium | BC Place | Levi's Stadium | Lumen Field

Group E table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Germany00000000
2.Curacao00000000
3.Ivory Coast00000000
4.Ecuador00000000

Group E fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 141 p.m.Germany vs. CuracaoNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Sun, Jun. 147 p.m.Ivory Coast vs. EcuadorLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Sat, Jun. 204 p.m.Germany vs. Ivory CoastBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 208 p.m.Ecuador vs. CuracaoArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Thu, Jun. 254 p.m.Ecuador vs. GermanyMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Thu, Jun. 254 p.m.Curacao vs. Ivory CoastLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Group F table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Netherlands00000000
2.Japan00000000
3.UEFA Playoff B00000000
4.Tunisia00000000

The UEFA Playoff B qualifier will be either Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania

Group F fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 144 p.m.Netherlands vs. JapanAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Sun, Jun. 1410 p.m.UEFA Playoff B Winner vs. TunisiaEstadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 201 p.m.Tunisia vs. JapanEstadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 2012 a.m.Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B WinnerNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Thu, Jun. 257 p.m.Tunisia vs. NetherlandsAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Thu, Jun. 257 p.m.Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B WinnerArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Group G table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Belgium00000000
2.Egypt00000000
3.Iran00000000
4.New Zealand00000000

Group G fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Mon, June 153 p.m.Belgium vs. EgyptSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Mon, June 159 p.m.Iran vs. New ZealandLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Sun, June 213 p.m.Belgium vs. IranSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sun, June 219 p.m.New Zealand vs. EgyptBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fri, June 268 p.m.New Zealand vs. BelgiumLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Fri, June 268 p.m.Egypt vs. IranBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)

Group H table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Spain00000000
2.Cape Verde00000000
3.Saudi Arabia00000000
4.Uruguay00000000

Group H fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Mon, Jun. 1512 p.m.Spain vs. Cape VerdeMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Mon, Jun. 156 p.m.Saudi Arabia vs. UruguayHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sun, Jun. 2112 p.m.Spain vs. Saudi ArabiaMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Sun, Jun. 216 p.m.Uruguay vs. Cape VerdeHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Fri, Jun. 268 p.m.Uruguay vs. SpainNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Fri, Jun. 268 p.m.Cape Verde vs. Saudi ArabiaEstadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)

Group I table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.France00000000
2.Senegal00000000
3.FIFA Playoff 200000000
4.Norway00000000

The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 2 qualifier will be either Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.

Group I fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jun. 163 p.m.France vs. SenegalMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 166 p.m.FIFA Playoff 2 Winner vs. NorwayGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Mon, Jun. 225 p.m.France vs. Playoff 2 WinnerLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Mon, Jun. 228 p.m.Norway vs. SenegalMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Fri, Jun. 263 p.m.Norway vs. FranceGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Fri, Jun. 263 p.m.Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 WinnerBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)

Group J table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Argentina00000000
2.Algeria00000000
3.Austria00000000
4.Jordan00000000

Group J fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jun. 169 p.m.Argentina vs. AlgeriaArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Tue, Jun. 1712 a.m.Austria vs. JordanLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Mon, Jun. 221 p.m.Argentina vs. AustriaAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Mon, Jun. 2211 p.m.Jordan vs. AlgeriaLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Sat, Jun. 2710 p.m.Jordan vs. ArgentinaArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Sat, Jun. 2710 p.m.Algeria vs. AustriaAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Group K table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Portugal00000000
2.FIFA Playoff 100000000
3.Uzbekistan00000000
4.Colombia00000000

The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 1 qualifier will be either DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.

Group K fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 171 p.m.Portugal vs. TBDNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Fri, Jun. 1710 p.m.Uzbekistan vs. ColombiaEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Tue, Jun. 231 p.m.Portugal vs. UzbekistanNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Tue, Jun. 2310 p.m.Colombia vs. TBDEstadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 277:30 p.m.Colombia vs. PortugalHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jun. 277:30 p.m.TBD  vs. UzbekistanMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Group L table

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.England00000000
2.Croatia00000000
3.Ghana00000000
4.Panama00000000

Group L fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 174 p.m.England vs. CroatiaAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Fri, Jun. 177 p.m.Ghana vs. PanamaBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Tue, Jun. 234 p.m.England vs. GhanaGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Tue, Jun. 237 p.m.Panama vs. CroatiaBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 275 p.m.Panama vs. EnglandMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sat, Jun. 275 p.m.Croatia vs. GhanaLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Ranking of third-place finishers

The top eight third-place finishers will qualify for the knockout stage, while the bottom four will be eliminated.

PosTeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.TBD00000000
2.TBD00000000
3.TBD00000000
4.TBD00000000
5.TBD00000000
6.TBD00000000
7.TBD00000000
8.TBD00000000
9.TBD00000000
10.TBD00000000
11.TBD00000000
12.TBD00000000

World Cup 2026 knockout stage

Round of 32

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 283 p.m.M1: 2nd, Group A vs. 2nd, Group BSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Mon, Jun. 294:30 p.m.M2: 1st, Group E vs. 3rd place finisherGillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
Mon, Jun. 299 p.m.M3: 1st, Group F vs. 2nd, Group CEstadio BBVA (Guadalupe, MEX)
Mon, Jun. 291 p.m.M4: 1st, Group C vs. 2nd, Group FNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Tue, Jun. 305 p.m.M5: 1st, Group I vs. 3rd place finisherMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 301 p.m.M6: 2nd, Group E vs. 2nd, Group IAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Tue, Jun. 309 p.m.M7: 1st, Group A vs. 3rd place finisherEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Wed, Jul. 112 p.m.M8: 1st, Group L vs. 3rd place finisherMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Wed, Jul. 18 p.m.M9: 1st, Group D vs. 3rd place finisherLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Wed, Jul. 14 p.m.M10: 1st, Group G vs. 3rd place finisherLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Thu, Jul. 27 p.m.M11: 2nd, Group K vs. 2nd, Group LBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Thu, Jul. 23 p.m.M12: 1st, Group H vs. 2nd, Group JSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jul. 211 p.m.M13: 1st, Group B vs. 3rd place finisherBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fri, Jul. 36 p.m.M14: 1st, Group J vs. 2nd, Group HHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Fri, Jul. 39:30 p.m.M15: 1st, Group K vs. 3rd place finisherArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Fr, Jul. 32 p.m.M16: 2nd, Group D vs. 2nd, Group GAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Round of 16

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sat, Jul. 41 p.m.M2: Winner, R32 M1 vs. Winner, R32 M3NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Sat, Jul. 45 p.m.M1: Winner, R32 M2 vs. Winner, R32 M5Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Sun, Jul. 54 p.m.M3: Winner, R32 M4 vs. Winner, R32 M6MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sun, Jul. 58 p.m.M4: Winner, R32 M7 vs. Winner, R32 M8Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Mon, Jul. 63 p.m.M5: Winner, R32 M11 vs. Winner, R32 M12AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Mon, Jul. 68 p.m.M6: Winner, R32 M9 vs. Winner, R32 M10Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Tue, Jul. 712 p.m.M7: Winner, R32 M14 vs. Winner, R32 M16Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Tue, Jul. 74 p.m.M8: Winner, R32 M13 vs. Winner, R32 M15BC Place (Vancouver, CAN)

Quarterfinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Thu, Jul. 94 p.m.QF1: Winner, R16 M1 vs. Winner, R16 M2Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
Fri, Jul. 103 p.m.QF2: Winner, R16 M5 vs. Winner, R16 M6SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sat, Jul. 115 p.m.QF3: Winner, R16 M3 vs. Winner, R16 M4Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jul. 119 p.m.QF4: Winner, R16 M7 vs. Winner, R16 M8Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Semifinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jul. 143 p.m.SF1: Winner, QF1 vs. Winner, QF2AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Wed, Jul. 153 p.m.SF2: Winner, QF3 vs. Winner, QF4Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Third-place match

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sat, Jul. 185 p.m.Loser, SF1 vs. Loser, SF2Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)

Final

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jul. 193 p.m.Winner, SF1 vs. Winner, SF2MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

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