From the debutants to the old-stagers, the favourites to the outsiders, all of the teams who have qualified for World Cup 2026 know where they stand.
The December 5 draw in Washington D.C. Mapped out the first 48-team slate in the history of global soccer's premier international tournament, sketching storylines both brand new and familiar.
Argentina and Lionel Messi will defend the title they won in unforgettable circumstances in Qatar four years ago. However, that campaign began with a humiliating defeat for La Albiceleste against Saudi Arabia.
In some instances, group stage matches are part of a wider story of success or failure. In others, they can be standalone dramas worthy of that billing.
Here, AllSportsPeople has picked out the seven most intriguing matchups crafted by the World Cup 2026 draw.
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7. Germany vs. Curacao (Group E)
Okay, there might not be too much jeopardy here, even allowing for Germany's wretched group stage performances at the past two World Cups. Julian Nagelsmann's side should have no problem getting up and running against the tournament debutants from the Caribbean.
However, the four-time winners versus the smallest nation ever to play at the World Cup is a matchup for the romantics to savour.
MORE: Breaking down Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
6. Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F)
At the Qatar World Cup, Japan made a huge statement with wins over Germany and Spain during the group stage. Hajime Moriyasu's side came from 2-0 down to beat Brazil in October 2025 and the seeded Dutch side will have to be on their mettle to see off a team that will play at a high tempo and with technical proficiency.
MORE: Breaking down Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
5. England vs. Croatia (Group L)
Croatia broke English hearts with their extra-time win in the semifinals of the Russia 2018 World Cup. England have since defeated these familiar foes in the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League and the group stage of Euro 2020.
Zlatko Dalic remains in charge of a Croatia team where veteran playmaker Luka Modric is one of a handful of cap centurions who remain from the golden period. There's a delicious amount of shared history and enmity to pick in a match that gives the lowest combined FIFA ranking (4th vs. 10th) of any group stage fixture.
MORE: Breaking down Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
4. Argentina vs. Austria (Group J)
As Argentina showed last time around, a group-stage setback need not be terminal to hopes of success. Austria will certainly fancy their chances of pushing the champions to the limit.
Ralf Rangnick's side topped their Euro 2024 group ahead of the Netherlands and France, playing with an intensity and cohesion uncommon in international football. They were in free-scoring form during European qualification, too.
MORE: Breaking down Group J at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
3. France vs. Norway (Group I)
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have been on electrifying form for Real Madrid and Manchester City this season. If they maintain their scoring rates, this will indisputably be a World Cup meeting between the two most lethal attackers in world football.
And Norway are anything but a one-man team, as their two dominant qualification wins over Italy proved. They could make a match of this beyond just the one-on-one clash of world-class goal scorers.
MORE: Breaking down Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
2. Spain vs. Uruguay (Group H)
As group games boasting vast football heritage go, the winners of the first ever World Cup versus the reigning European champions and arguably the finest football nation of the 21st century takes some beating. Hopefully, Spain and Uruguay still have plenty to play for when they reach the final round of Group H games.
La Roja should have the edge, but the Marcelo Bielsa-led Celeste and their formidable Real Madrid star Federico Valverde will meet them head-on. It was Bielsa's Chile who ransacked Spain to end their 2014 World Cup defence after just two matches.
MORE: Breaking down Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
1. Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C)
Global football's most famous national team maintained their record of qualifying for every single World Cup despite some early struggles in the CONMEBOL section. They now even have a superstar manager in Carlo Ancelotti.
But this Brazil team is far from vintage. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022 and have since gone about showing that it was no fluke, tearing through CAF qualification and rising to be ranked 11th in the world.
This match on the third day of the competition should be the one to truly ignite the tournament.
MORE: Breaking down Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup