Last reviewed: June 2026
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four. England are in Group L and Scotland are in Group C. This is the complete guide to all 12 groups, the teams in each, and what UK fans need to know about the format, advancement rules and UK viewing times.
Key facts
- 48 teams are drawn into 12 groups of four for the 2026 World Cup group stage.
- England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
- Scotland are in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
- The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
- All 104 matches are free on BBC and ITV in the UK - no subscription required.
- The group stage runs from 11 June to 27 June 2026.
The 2026 World Cup Group Stage: A New Format
The 2026 World Cup introduces the largest group stage in tournament history. For the first time, 48 national teams compete across 12 groups of four, replacing the 8-group, 32-team format used from 1998 to 2022. The expanded format increases the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and adds a new Round of 32 knockout stage between the group stage and the Round of 16.
Each team plays three group stage matches against the other three teams in their group. The top two teams from each group qualify directly for the Round of 32. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance to the Round of 32, meaning 32 of the 48 competing nations progress from the group stage. The group stage runs from 11 June to 27 June 2026.
All 12 Groups: The Complete Draw
The draw was conducted on 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The three host nations - USA, Mexico and Canada - were placed in Pot 1 alongside the nine highest-ranked qualified nations. The draw used FIFA's world rankings to seed nations into four pots. Two places in Groups I and J were held for intercontinental playoff winners, confirmed in March 2026.
| Group | Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 | Team 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Mexico (host) | South Africa | South Korea | Czechia |
| Group B | Canada (host) | Switzerland | Qatar | Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Group C | Brazil | Morocco | Haiti | Scotland |
| Group D | USA (host) | Paraguay | Australia | Turkey |
| Group E | Germany | Curacao | Ivory Coast | Ecuador |
| Group F | Netherlands | Japan | Tunisia | Sweden |
| Group G | Belgium | Iran | New Zealand | Egypt |
| Group H | Spain | Saudi Arabia | Uruguay | Cape Verde |
| Group I | France | Senegal | Norway | Playoff winner |
| Group J | Argentina | Colombia | DR Congo | Playoff winner |
| Group K | Portugal | Austria | Algeria | Jordan |
| Group L | England | Croatia | Ghana | Panama |
Groups highlighted in yellow contain UK nations. Source: FIFA official draw, December 2025. Two playoff winners (Groups I and J) confirmed March 2026.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Group A is hosted partly in Mexico, with the opening match of the tournament taking place on 11 June 2026 when Mexico face South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Estadio Azteca, with a capacity of approximately 87,500, is the largest venue in the tournament and one of the most iconic football grounds in the world. Mexico as hosts were automatically placed in Pot 1. South Korea were ranked 23rd in the world and Czechia 34th at the time of the draw.
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Canada as co-hosts were placed in Pot 1 and play their opening match at BMO Field in Toronto. Switzerland, ranked 21st in the world, represent a significant challenge for the host nation. Qatar qualified as the first Arab nation to host a World Cup, having won the rights to host the 2022 tournament, and also qualified through their role as 2022 hosts and the Asian confederation process for 2026.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group C is Scotland's group and arguably one of the tournament's most challenging on paper. Brazil are the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles. Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Scotland, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, face a genuine test to advance from this group. Haiti are the lowest-ranked side in the group and provide Scotland's most accessible route to points in the opening fixture.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
The United States as co-hosts were placed in Pot 1. Their opening match against Paraguay on 12 June at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles sets up a significant early fixture. Australia qualified through the AFC process and Turkey secured their place through the UEFA playoffs, defeating Kosovo to claim the final European place available. Turkey's late qualification meant their group assignment was confirmed only after the intercontinental playoff process concluded.
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany, ranked 12th in the world and four-time World Cup winners, are among the strongest sides in Group E. Curacao make history as the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, with a population of approximately 150,000. Their first match is against Germany. Ivory Coast and Ecuador complete a group that Germany are expected to navigate successfully but which contains capable opposition.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
The Netherlands, ranked 7th in the world and 1974 and 1978 finalists, are the highest-ranked side in Group F. Japan are one of Asia's strongest qualifying nations and reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Tunisia and Sweden complete a group that the Netherlands are strong favourites to top.
Group G: Belgium, Iran, New Zealand, Egypt
Belgium, ranked 3rd in the world at the time of the draw and a consistently strong European side, are the top seed in Group G. Iran qualified through the AFC process. New Zealand qualified as OFC representatives, their first World Cup since 2010. Egypt qualified through CAF. Belgium are strong favourites to advance from a group that they should have the quality to top.
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde
Spain are ranked first in the world and are the top-seeded nation in the entire tournament draw. Their group includes Saudi Arabia, who caused one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history by beating Argentina in the 2022 group stage. Uruguay are four-time World Cup finalists, winners in 1930 and 1950. Cape Verde are making their first World Cup appearance. Spain are strong favourites to top the group.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Playoff winner
France, world champions in 1998 and 2018 and runners-up in 2022, are in Group I alongside Senegal and Norway, with the fourth place held for an intercontinental playoff winner. Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and 2022. Norway, featuring Erling Haaland, qualified through UEFA. France are among the tournament favourites and are expected to advance from this group.
Group J: Argentina, Colombia, DR Congo, Playoff winner
Argentina, defending World Cup champions having won the 2022 tournament in Qatar, are in Group J alongside Colombia and DR Congo. Argentina are ranked second in the world. Colombia qualified through CONMEBOL. DR Congo qualified through CAF. Argentina are strong favourites to advance and the defending champion status makes them one of the tournament's headline stories.
Group K: Portugal, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Portugal, ranked 6th in the world and featuring Cristiano Ronaldo at what is likely his final World Cup, are the top seed in Group K. Austria qualified through UEFA. Algeria qualified through CAF. Jordan qualified through a playoff. Portugal are favourites to top the group.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England are in Group L, one of four top-seeded nations alongside Spain, Argentina and France. The draw keeps these four nations apart in the bracket until at least the semi-finals if they each win their respective groups. England face Croatia in a repeat of their 2018 semi-final, plus Ghana and Panama. All three of England's matches kick off in the UK evening between 9pm and 10pm BST, making them the most accessible fixtures for UK viewers.
How the Third-Place Qualification System Works
The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups advance to the Round of 32 alongside the 24 group winners and runners-up. Third-placed teams are ranked against each other using the same criteria as the group stage tiebreakers: points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then fair play record. This system means that a competitive third-placed finish - particularly winning the opening match - can still lead to advancement even without finishing in the top two of the group.
For Scotland, this creates a potential route even from a group containing Brazil and Morocco. Winning against Haiti and taking at least a draw from Morocco or Brazil could be sufficient for a third-place advancement depending on results elsewhere. All 12 groups complete their final matches simultaneously on 26 and 27 June to prevent any advantage from knowing other results.
UK Viewing: Free for All 104 Matches
Every match at the 2026 World Cup is broadcast free-to-air in the United Kingdom across BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and ITV4. Free streaming is available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. No pay television subscription is required to watch any match in the tournament. This includes all group stage fixtures, all knockout matches, and the final on 19 July 2026. UK viewers who are aware of which service is showing which match should check the BBC Sport and ITV Sport schedules for the specific broadcaster for each fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many groups are there at the 2026 World Cup?
12 groups, each containing 4 teams. This is an increase from the 8 groups used in the 32-team format from 1998 to 2022. The 48-team field is organised into Groups A through L.
How many teams advance from each group?
The top two from each group advance automatically. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance. This means 32 of the 48 competing nations progress from the group stage to the Round of 32.
What group is England in at the 2026 World Cup?
Group L, with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. England were seeded in Pot 1 as one of the 12 highest-ranked nations in the draw.
What group is Scotland in at the 2026 World Cup?
Group C, with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. Scotland were seeded in Pot 3 for the draw.
When does the 2026 World Cup group stage start and end?
The group stage runs from 11 June 2026, when Mexico play South Africa in the tournament opener at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, to 27 June 2026, when all final group stage matches are played simultaneously.
Are all World Cup 2026 matches free to watch in the UK?
Yes. All 104 matches are broadcast free-to-air across BBC and ITV, including BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and ITV4. Free streaming is available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. No subscription is required.
