World Cup Draw 2026: England to Open Against Croatia as Scotland Draw Brazil (Full List)
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The World Cup draw 2026 has produced major headline fixtures as England, Scotland and other European contenders learned their group-stage opponents for the expanded 48-team tournament scheduled to take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw confirmed that England will begin their campaign against Croatia, while Scotland—returning to the men’s World Cup for the first time in 28 years—have been placed in a challenging group that includes record five-time champions Brazil.
Ejes Gist News reports that football federations, analysts and supporters began immediate assessments of the matchups across all 12 groups, with global attention drawn to Europe–South America clashes and several high-stakes fixtures.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw was conducted in Washington DC, featuring former and current sporting icons, and marks the start of preparations for what will be the largest tournament in the competition’s history.
Overview of the FIFA World Cup Draw 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first edition featuring 48 teams, an increase from 32 sides used in previous tournaments. This expansion results in 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to the knockout phase.
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The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026, spanning 16 host cities across the three North American nations. The draw determined group placements but a separate event will finalize stadium allocations and exact match venues.
The event also featured an unusual moment when United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony.
England’s Path: Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L
A Difficult Opening Fixture
England have been placed in Group L and will open their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia. The match will be played on 17 June in either Dallas or Toronto, depending on the venue assignment set for release on Saturday.
Croatia represent the toughest possible opponent England could have drawn from Pot 2. The two nations last met in a FIFA World Cup semi-final in 2018, where Croatia triumphed.
Group L Full Fixtures
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
After facing Croatia, England will meet Ghana on 23 June before closing their group-stage campaign against Panama on 27 June. England defeated Panama 6–1 in their previous World Cup meeting at Russia 2018.
Seeded Route
Due to FIFA’s new regulations, the top four nations in the world rankings—Spain, Argentina, France and England—are strategically seeded to prevent a clash before the semi-finals, provided they all finish top of their groups.
Scotland’s Return: Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in Group C
Historic Comeback for Scotland
Scotland have been placed in Group C alongside giants Brazil and Africa’s highly rated Morocco. Their return marks their first men’s FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998.
Their opening fixture comes against Haiti on 13 June in New York or Boston.
Group C Full Fixtures
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Scotland manager Steve Clarke stated in reaction to the draw that he welcomed a group with no European opponents and emphasised that his team will “bring a little bit of magic” to the tournament.
Potential Path for Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The World Cup draw 2026 also outlined the potential matchups for European teams still in qualification playoffs:
- Republic of Ireland could join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.
- Wales or Northern Ireland would join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
UEFA playoff paths will be decided in March.
Full FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw (All Groups)
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- UEFA Play-Off D
Group B
- Canada
- UEFA Play-Off A
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Group D
- United States
- Paraguay
- Australia
- UEFA Play-Off C
Group E
- Germany
- Curaçao
- Ivory Coast
- Ecuador
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- UEFA Play-Off B
- Tunisia
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- FIFA Play-Off 2
- Norway
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- FIFA Play-Off 1
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
Tournament Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa
The expanded tournament will begin with Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca. The match marks the start of a historic competition featuring a record 104 matches, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino described as “104 Super Bowls in one month” for American audiences.
Special Draw Format and Cultural Showcases
The draw included cultural performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Lauryn Hill and Nicole Scherzinger. Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum and Danny Ramirez hosted the event, while sports legends Rio Ferdinand, Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Wayne Gretzky and Shaquille O’Neal assisted in presenting the groups.
An unusual moment occurred when heads of state from Mexico, Canada and the United States each drew their nations’ balls from the pots.
What the Draw Means for Global Football
The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw sets the stage for a highly competitive tournament, featuring:
- Expanded opportunities for emerging football nations
- More inter-continental matchups in the group stage
- Higher knockout-round participation due to revised format
- Increased global audience engagement
Analysts are already highlighting the competitiveness of groups involving Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina and Germany, while also noting opportunities for underdog sides.
Knockout Stage Structure
With the new format, the knockout stage will feature:
- 32 teams
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Final
This structure mirrors traditional tournament designs but accommodates more nations, giving third-placed teams a broader pathway into the elimination rounds.
