The 2026 World Cup Draw has been officially announced, revealing the group stage fixtures, kick-off times, and venues for the expanded 48-team tournament. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in three countries.
2026 World Cup:Key Dates
- Group Stage: June 11 – June 27, 2026
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026
- Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11, 2026
- Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15, 2026
- Third-place Playoff: July 18, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026
The 2026 World Cup Draw has also revealed that matches will take place in four different time zones. Fans in the UK will experience early morning kick-offs for some games, particularly those involving the United States and other host nations.
England has been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The Three Lions benefit from favorable kick-off times for UK viewers.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off (UK) | Kick-off (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Croatia | Dallas, USA | 21:00 BST | 15:00 ET |
| June 23, 2026 | Ghana | Boston, USA | 21:00 BST | 16:00 ET |
| June 27, 2026 | Panama | New Jersey, USA | 22:00 BST | 17:00 ET |
England manager Thomas Tuchel commented on the 2026 World Cup Draw, describing the group as “difficult but manageable.” Croatia is seen as the strongest opponent, while Ghana and Panama will require focus to secure victories. If England wins Group L, their round-of-32 opponent will be a third-place finisher from another group, with the potential path to the final stretching over thousands of miles across North America.
Scotland finds itself in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. UK fans face more challenging viewing times, with two late-night matches scheduled.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off (UK) | Kick-off (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | Haiti | Boston, USA | 02:00 BST | 21:00 ET |
| June 19, 2026 | Morocco | Boston, USA | 23:00 BST | 18:00 ET |
| June 24, 2026 | Brazil | Miami, USA | 23:00 BST | 18:00 ET |
Scotland manager Steve Clarke expressed satisfaction with the group, emphasizing that matches against Brazil and Morocco are “great opportunities” to test his team, while Haiti is seen as a favorable opening match. Scottish fans will face late nights to follow their team, especially the opener at 2:00 BST.
The United States, as a host, will play in Group D against Paraguay, Australia, and a UEFA play-off nation. Their fixtures include early UK morning kick-offs for international viewers.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off (UK) | Kick-off (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | Paraguay | Los Angeles, USA | 02:00 BST | 21:00 ET |
| June 19, 2026 | Australia | Seattle, USA | 20:00 BST | 15:00 ET |
| June 25, 2026 | TBD (UEFA) | Los Angeles, USA | 03:00 BST | 22:00 ET |
Other notable teams include Mexico, who open the tournament against South Africa at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11, kicking off at 20:00 BST. France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Argentina have also discovered their group stage paths through the 2026 World Cup Draw.
The 2026 World Cup Draw has major implications for team preparation, fan travel, and broadcast schedules. England fans could travel over 6,400 miles if their team reaches the final, while Portugal and Spain face longer distances due to multiple cities hosting their group matches. Scotland faces over 6,000 miles of travel if they advance to the final stages..
The 2026 World Cup Draw also introduces new seeding measures, keeping traditional powerhouses such as Spain, Argentina, and France apart until the semifinals or final if they progress as expected.
Complete Group Breakdown
- Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Republic of Ireland/Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic
- Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Wales/Northern Ireland/Italy/Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
- Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
- Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Poland/Ukraine/Sweden/Albania
- Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
- Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
- Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
- Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
- Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
- Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
The 16 host cities will cover a distance of up to 2,800 miles, including Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Boston, New York/New Jersey, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and more. Matches will be scheduled across four time zones, requiring fans to adjust to local and UK times, especially for early morning or late-night fixtures.
The final match will take place at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey/New York, on July 19, 2026, kicking off at 20:00 BST. The semi-finals are scheduled for July 14 in Dallas and July 15 in Atlanta, both at 20:00 BST.
FAQs: 2026 World Cup Draw
Q: How many teams are competing in the 2026 World Cup?
A: The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, an expansion from 32, competing in 104 matches across 16 cities.
Q: When is the 2026 World Cup Draw?
A: The 2026 World Cup Draw was held on December 5, 2025, revealing all group stage match-ups, venues, and approximate kick-off times.
Q: When and where is the opening match?
A: The opening match is on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, between Mexico and South Africa.
Q: What time is the 2026 World Cup final?
A: The final will kick off at 20:00 BST on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey/New York.
Q: How will the 2026 World Cup Draw affect team routes to the final?
A: The draw determines group stage opponents and potential knockout stage paths. Teams like England, Portugal, and Spain will have carefully mapped journeys if they progress.