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.

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

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Live World Cup draw tracker | Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule

World Cup 2026 groups

We already know that Mexico will be in Group A, Canada in Group B, and USA in Group D.

The remaining layout of the group stage will be determined at the draw on December 5. The Sporting News will update this page as the draw is conducted.

GroupPot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4AMexicoSouth KoreaSouth AfricaUEFA Playoff DBCanadaSwitzerlandQatarUEFA Playoff ACBrazilMoroccoScotlandHaitiDUSAAustraliaParaguayUEFA Playoff DEGermanyEcuadorIvory CoastCuracaoFNetherlandsJapanTunisiaUEFA Playoff BGBelgiumIranEgyptNew ZealandHSpainUruguaySaudi ArabiaCape VerdeIFranceSenegalNorwayFIFA Playoff 2JArgentinaAustriaAlgeriaJordanKPortugalColombiaUzbekistanFIFA Playoff 1LEnglandCroatiaPanamaGhanaWorld Cup 2026 kickoff times

This section will be updated when kickoff times are set. FIFA has indicated that the precise World Cup schedule will be announced on Saturday, December 6 at around 12 p.m. ET.

Stage(s)USA & Canada
(ET)UK
(GMT)Australia
(AEDT)India
(IST)Group stage only    Group stage only    Knockouts only    Group stage only    Group + Knockouts    

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Complete World Cup 2026 match schedule

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

It will be there that the teams are distributed across the 12 groups and their pathways to a potential final are made clear.

The hosts have already been pre-assigned certain places in the group stage: Mexico are in Group A, Canada Group B, and the USA in Group D. Additionally, new rules dictate that the world’s top-four sides according to the FIFA rankings — Spain, Argentina, France and England — will be on opposite sides of the bracket so they cannot meet until the latter stages.

World Cup 2026 group stage

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

Group A tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Mexico000000002.South Africa000000003.South Korea000000004.UEFA Playoff D00000000

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

Group A fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationThu, Jun. 11 Mexico vs. South AfricaEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)Thu, Jun. 11 South Korea vs. TBDEstadio Akron (Zapopan, MEX)Thu, Jun. 18 TBD vs. South AfricaMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)Thu, Jun. 18 Mexico vs. A3South KoreaEstadio Akron (Zapopan, MEX)Wed, Jun. 24 TBD vs. MexicoEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)Wed, Jun. 24 South Africa vs. South KoreaEstadio BBVA (Guadalupe, MEX)Group B tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Canada000000002.UEFA Playoff A000000003.Qatar000000004.Switzerland00000000

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

Group B fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationFri, Jun. 12 Canada vs. TBDBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)Sat, Jun. 13 Qatar vs. SwitzerlandLevi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)Thu, Jun. 18 Switzerland vs. TBDSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Thu, Jun. 18 Canada vs. QatarBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)Wed, Jun. 24 Switzerland vs. CanadaBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)Wed, Jun. 24 TBD vs. QatarLumen Field (Seattle, WA)Group C tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Brazil000000002.Morocco000000003.Haiti000000004.Scotland00000000Group C fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationSat, Jun. 13 Brazil vs. Morocco Sat, Jun. 13 Haiti vs. Scotland Fri, Jun. 19 Brazil vs. Haiti Fri, Jun. 19 Scotland vs. Morocco Wed, Jun. 24 Scotland vs. Brazil Wed, Jun. 24 Morocco vs. Haiti Group D tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.United States000000002.Paraguay000000003.Australia000000004.UEFA Playoff C00000000

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

Group D fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationFri, Jun. 12 United States vs. ParaguaySoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Sat, Jun. 13 Australia vs. TBDBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)Fri, Jun. 19 TBD vs. ParaguayLevi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)Fri, Jun. 19 United States vs. AustraliaLumen Field (Seattle, WA)Thu, Jun. 25 TBD vs. United StatesSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Thu, Jun. 25 Paraguay vs. AustraliaLevi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)Group E tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Germany000000002.Curacao000000003.Ivory Coast000000004.Ecuador00000000Group E fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationSun, Jun. 14 Germany vs. Curacao Sun, Jun. 14 Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador Sat, Jun. 20 Germany vs. Ivory Coast Sat, Jun. 20 Ecuador vs. Curacao Thu, Jun. 25 Ecuador vs. Germany Thu, Jun. 25 Curacao vs. Ivory Coast Group F tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Netherlands000000002.Japan000000003.UEFA Playoff B000000004.Tunisia00000000

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

Group F fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationSun, Jun. 14 Netherlands vs. Japan Sun, Jun. 14 TBD vs. Tunisia Sat, Jun. 20 Netherlands vs. TBD Sat, Jun. 20 Tunisia vs. Japan Thu, Jun. 25 Tunisia vs. Netherlands Thu, Jun. 25 Japan vs. TBD Group G tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Belgium000000002.Egypt000000003.Iran000000004.New Zealand00000000Group G fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationMon, Jun. 15 Belgium vs. Egypt Mon, Jun. 15 Iran vs. New Zealand Sun, Jun. 21 Belgium vs. Iran Sun, Jun. 21 New Zealand vs. Egypt Fri, Jun. 26 New Zealand vs. Belgium Fri, Jun. 26 Egypt vs. Iran Group H tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Spain000000002.Cape Verde000000003.Saudi Arabia000000004.Uruguay00000000Group H fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationMon, Jun. 15 Spain vs. Cape Verde Mon, Jun. 15 Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay Sun, Jun. 21 Spain vs. Saudi Arabia Sun, Jun. 21 Uruguay vs. Cape Verde Fri, Jun. 26 Uruguay vs. Spain Fri, Jun. 26 Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia Group I tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.France000000002.Senegal000000003.FIFA Playoff 2000000004.Norway00000000

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

Group I fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationTue, Jun. 16 France vs. Senegal Tue, Jun. 16 TBD vs. Norway  Mon, Jun. 22 France vs. TBD Mon, Jun. 22 Norway vs. Senegal Fri, Jun. 26 Norway vs. France Fri, Jun. 26 Senegal vs. TBD Group J tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Argentina000000002.Algeria000000003.Austria000000004.Jordan00000000Group J fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationTue, Jun. 16 Argentina vs. Algeria Tue, Jun. 16 Austria vs. Jordan Mon, Jun. 22 Argentina vs. Austria Mon, Jun. 22 Jordan vs. Algeria Sat, Jun. 27 Jordan vs. Argentina Sat, Jun. 27 Algeria vs. Austria Group K tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.Portugal000000002.FIFA Playoff 1000000003.Uzbekistan000000004.Colombia00000000

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

Group K fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationFri, Jun. 17 Portugal vs. TBD Fri, Jun. 17 Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Tue, Jun. 23 Portugal vs. Uzbekistan Tue, Jun. 23 Colombia vs. TBD Sat, Jun. 27 Colombia vs. Portugal Sat, Jun. 27 TBD vs. Uzbekistan Group L tablePosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD1.England000000002.Croatia000000003.Ghana000000004.Panama00000000Group L fixturesDateTime (ET)MatchLocationFri, Jun. 17 England vs. Croatia Fri, Jun. 17 Ghana vs. Panama Tue, Jun. 23 England vs. Ghana Tue, Jun. 23 Panama vs. Croatia Sat, Jun. 27 Panama vs. England Sat, Jun. 27 Croatia vs. Ghana Ranking of third-place finishers

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

PosTeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD1.TBD000000002.TBD000000003.TBD000000004.TBD000000005.TBD000000006.TBD000000007.TBD000000008.TBD000000009.TBD0000000010.TBD0000000011.TBD0000000012.TBD00000000World Cup 2026 knockout stageRound of 32DateMatchLocationSun, Jun. 28M1: 2nd, Group A vs. 2nd, Group BSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Mon, Jun. 29M2: 1st, Group E vs. 3rd place finisherGillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)Mon, Jun. 29M3: 1st, Group F vs. 2nd, Group CEstadio BBVA (Guadalupe, MEX)Mon, Jun. 29M4: 1st, Group C vs. 2nd, Group FNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)Tue, Jun. 30M5: 1st, Group I vs. 3rd place finisherMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)Tue, Jun. 30M6: 2nd, Group E vs. 2nd, Group IAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)Tue, Jun. 30M7: 1st, Group A vs. 3rd place finisherEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)Wed, Jul. 1M8: 1st, Group L vs. 3rd place finisherMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)Wed, Jul. 1M9: 1st, Group D vs. 3rd place finisherLevi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)Wed, Jul. 1M10: 1st, Group G vs. 3rd place finisherLumen Field (Seattle, WA)Thu, Jul. 2M11: 2nd, Group K vs. 2nd, Group LBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)Thu, Jul. 2M12: 1st, Group H vs. 2nd, Group JSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Thu, Jul. 2M13: 1st, Group B vs. 3rd place finisherBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)Fri, Jul. 3M14: 1st, Group J vs. 2nd, Group HHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)Fri, Jul. 3M15: 1st, Group K vs. 3rd place finisherArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)Fr, Jul. 3M16: 2nd, Group D vs. 2nd, Group GAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)Round of 16DateMatchLocationSat, Jul. 4M1: Winner, R32 M2 vs. Winner, R32 M5Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)Sat, Jul. 4M2: Winner, R32 M1 vs. Winner, R32 M3NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)Sun, Jul. 5M3: Winner, R32 M4 vs. Winner, R32 M6MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)Sun, Jul. 5M4: Winner, R32 M7 vs. Winner, R32 M8Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)Mon, Jul. 6M5: Winner, R32 M11 vs. Winner, R32 M12AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)Mon, Jul. 6M6: Winner, R32 M9 vs. Winner, R32 M10Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)Tue, Jul. 7M7: Winner, R32 M14 vs. Winner, R32 M16Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)Tue, Jul. 7M8: Winner, R32 M13 vs. Winner, R32 M15BC Place (Vancouver, CAN)QuarterfinalsDateMatchLocationThu, Jul. 9QF1: Winner, R16 M1 vs. Winner, R16 M2Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)Fri, Jul. 10QF2: Winner, R16 M5 vs. Winner, R16 M6SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)Sat, Jul. 11QF3: Winner, R16 M3 vs. Winner, R16 M4Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)Sat, Jul. 11QF4: Winner, R16 M7 vs. Winner, R16 M8Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)SemifinalsDateMatchLocationTue, Jul. 14SF1: Winner, QF1 vs. Winner, QF2AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)Wed, Jul. 15SF2: Winner, QF3 vs. Winner, QF4Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)Third place matchDateMatchLocationSat, Jul. 18Loser, SF1 vs. Loser, SF2Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)FinalDateMatchLocationSun, Jul. 19Winner, SF1 vs. Winner, SF2MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

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