FIFA World Cup 2026: All 12 Groups Explained

The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw produced 12 groups, each containing four teams who will play a full round-robin over the group stage. The top two teams from each group advance automatically; the eight best third-placed teams also qualify for the Round of 32.

How the groups work

Each group plays six matches over roughly two weeks. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. If teams finish level on points, the tiebreakers are: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head record, then drawing of lots. After all groups are complete, the 12 third-placed teams are ranked and the best eight join the 24 group qualifiers in the Round of 32.

The 12 groups at a glance

Group A — Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, South Africa
Group B — Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C — Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D — USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group E — Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H — Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K — Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Groups to watch

Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti) is arguably the toughest group to predict. Brazil are favourites but Morocco have proved they can compete with anyone after their 2022 run. Scotland qualify for a major tournament in form, while Haiti are capable of the odd upset.

Group J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan) pits the reigning world champions against a resurgent Algeria and a technically strong Austria side. Argentina should progress, but second place is genuinely open.

Group L (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama) sees two 2022 semi-finalists reunite alongside two dangerous African and CONCACAF sides.

Use our World Cup 2026 group predictor to fill in every group match score and see who advances from each group automatically.