Expanded 2026 tournament reveals challenging groups for home nations

By Martin Graham

England’s journey on the 2026 world showpiece will start in opposition to Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s squad additionally assembly Ghana and Panama in Group L. Their first outing is scheduled for 17 June, hosted both in Dallas or Toronto. That match comes almost every week after the competitors begins. Two additional fixtures observe: a gathering with Ghana on 23 June in both Toronto or Boston and a closing contest in opposition to Panama on 27 June in Philadelphia or New York.

Scotland returns to the boys’s World Cup for the primary time since 1998 and opens in opposition to Haiti on 13 June, with Boston or New York serving because the potential settings. Morocco awaits on 19 June in Boston or Philadelphia, and their high-profile encounter with Brazil shall be held on 24 June in Atlanta or Miami. Their draw locations them alongside the fifth- and Eleventh-ranked groups on the planet.

The expanded 48-nation version will unfold throughout Canada, Mexico, and the US from 11 June to 19 July. With 16 cities concerned and 104 matches deliberate, the occasion will start at Estadio Azteca, the place Mexico faces South Africa within the curtain-raiser. Twelve teams of 4 groups had been fashioned utilizing the worldwide rating desk to seed every pot. The 2 highest performers in every part and eight sturdy third-place groups transfer into the elimination rounds.

Play-off routes and group overview

A number of European sides nonetheless rely on March play-offs. Both Wales or Northern Eire might be part of Group B, getting into alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in the event that they progress by two qualifying rounds. Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and North Macedonia are amongst different nations navigating these routes. Extra intercontinental slots stay open by two separate FIFA playoff tracks involving nations reminiscent of DR Congo, Jamaica, Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname.

The total group composition brings heavyweight clashes and unfamiliar conferences. Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland kind Group C, whereas France shares Group I with Senegal, Norway, and one intercontinental qualifier. Elsewhere, Argentina meets Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J, and Portugal leads Group Okay with Uzbekistan, Colombia, and one other playoff entrant. Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the US every occupy predetermined positions that guarantee all of their group matches happen at house.

A revised draw rule offers the 4 highest-ranked groups—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—assured pathways that stop them from crossing earlier than the final 4, supplied all of them prime their teams. Ought to England end first, their preliminary knockout opponent shall be one of many third-placed groups with the strongest file. A potential quarter-final with the winner of Brazil’s part additionally lies on their facet of the bracket.

Reactions and ceremony highlights

Tuchel, reflecting on England’s project, labelled it a stern opening trio. He famous Croatia’s pedigree, Ghana’s long-standing competitiveness, and Panama’s want to grab their alternative. His squad progressed by qualifying with eight victories and no targets conceded, and he emphasised the necessity to pursue the group’s prime spot with full focus.

Croatia represents essentially the most difficult draw England might have acquired from their pot, and recollections linger of the 2018 semi-final setback. England final met Panama on the World Cup stage in that very same match, producing a 6-1 triumph, although Tuchel insisted that each opponent deserves full consideration.

A prolonged ceremony in Washington DC included the presentation of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, who was honored by Gianni Infantino. The present featured appearances by well-known figures from sport and leisure, with Rio Ferdinand conducting the draw alongside athletes from American soccer, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey. Hart, Klum, and Ramirez hosted, supported by musical performances from globally acknowledged artists.

The following step for all certified groups arrives with a second draw that can distribute fixtures throughout the host cities on Saturday at 17:00 GMT.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author