What we covered here
• Tournament takes shape: The groups are set for the opening stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, where 48 nations will vie for the ultimate prize in international soccer.
• Standout matchups: Mexico and South Africa will play the opening match on June 11 in Mexico City. Group I emerged as a “group of death,” featuring heavyweights France and Norway along with a competitive Senegal squad. The United States and Spain, meanwhile, drew more favorable opponents on paper.
• A spectacle in Washington: President Donald Trump was awarded the newly created FIFA Peace Prize during a ceremony that featured musical performances, celebrity hosts, sports luminaries and plenty of fanfare in the US capital.
We’ve wrapped up our live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, but you can scroll through the posts below to relive the day as it happened.
What we learned from the World Cup draw
What a World Cup draw ceremony that was, with multiple musical performances, cameo roles from world leaders and sporting legends, and a newly created peace prize that raised more questions than answers.
Now that all is said and done, we know how the groups will look at next year’s tournament.
The winners
The US will be particularly happy with its draw. It managed to avoid some of the bigger teams and will feel confident about progressing into the knockout stages.
The US Men’s National Team was drawn against Australia, Paraguay and the winner of the European Playoff C — which will be one of Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey or Romania.
Before the draw was made, US manager Mauricio Pochettino told CNN Sports that his team’s target was to win the World Cup. Although that still seems unlikely, the draw could have been a lot less kind to the current world No. 14.
Elsewhere, early favorite Spain will certainly be happy with its draw, being pitted against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Reigning champion Argentina and contender England also got away slightly lightly on paper, but anything can happen when play gets underway in June.
Another winner on the night, of course, was Donald Trump. The US president featured prominently as a host at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and walked away with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize award.
He was handed the newly created accolade — for which the selection process was unclear — by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a vocal backer of Trump’s thus-far-unsuccessful bid for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The ‘losers’
I’ll caveat this by saying no team that qualified for the World Cup can be too disappointed. But some teams now face an uphill struggle.
All those in Group I will be fearing the worst, with a host of talent set to play against each other early. Qatar 2022 runner-up France will face Norway, Senegal and the winner of FIFA Playoff 2 — one of Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq.
France and Norway boast world-class players, meaning the task ahead for Senegal and the playoff winner is going to be very hard. Call it this year’s “group of death.”
Tournament debutant Curaçao also faces a challenge, being drawn against Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, who many are suggesting are a dark horse for next summer.
Curaçao will play four-time winner Germany in its first match but, in truth, that’s probably exactly the type of game it wanted.
Analysis: A mixed draw for Africa's soccer powerhouses
For the nine African nations who have qualified for the World Cup, today’s draw is the first step in an effort to shatter the continent’s glass ceiling – reaching the tournament final.
Morocco will look to build on its record-setting performance in 2022, when it became the first African country to reach the semifinals. With global stars like Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Nesyri and Eliesse Ben Seghir, Morocco is arguably the strongest team in Africa and in the middle of a soccer golden era. The Atlas Lions will see themselves as favorites, alongside Brazil, to qualify for the knockout round in a group that also includes Scotland and Haiti.
Senegal, the second powerhouse in the continent right now, boasting stars like Sadio Mané and Pape Matar Sarr, has a much tougher path getting out of its group. The Lions of Teranga face France, who are among the favorites to win the entire tournament, and Norway, who, like Senegal, many consider to be among the tournament’s dark horses. The group’s final berth will go to whichever team claims the spot from FIFA Playoffs Tournament 2.
Senegal is among the four African nations to have ever reached the quarterfinals.
Some other African nations will like their chances at the tournament after today’s draw.
Algeria, for example, will face holder Argentina, but won’t fear matchups against Austria and Jordan. Ghana has powerhouse England in its group but will see Panama and Croatia as beatable. Ivory Coast will think it can finish second in a group with Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao.
United States should feel confident about winning group after draw, former soccer star says
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could have delivered the “best draw the US men have ever had,” according to Taylor Twellman, a former American soccer star.
The USMNT sits in group D with Paraguay, Australia and a fourth team still to be determined by a playoff game: one of Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey or Romania.
Twellman pointed out that the Americans just beat Australia and Paraguay earlier this year and said the team is probably “quite pleased with the opportunity that’s in front of them.”
This was the first year the draw has been expanded to 48 teams, a quirk that Twellman said could have changed the odds and made it less likely to get a true “group of death,” with the US and Canada being among the most happy with their placements.
“Right now, my perspective is the United States 100% should feel confident that they have every opportunity to win that group,” Twellman said.
Brazil vs. Morocco will be one of the matches to watch
Nevermind the “group of death,” as everyone is calling it, you should be more focused on Brazil playing Morocco.
The Atlas Lions, who made the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup, will look to prove that their last outing was no flash in the pan.
And they will meet Brazil, the only team to have competed in every World Cup since the competition began. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s Seleção is hoping to end its longest drought and clinch a record sixth World Cup, and first since 2002.
It will be nailbiter for fans who want to see Brazil repeat its 1994 success on American soil and rise to glory again and those who were inspired to see Morocco’s fairy tale success in 2022 and hope to see Coach Walid Regragui’s team marching full steam ahead.
Analysis: Group I has emerged as the "group of death"
You’ve got to love the World Cup draw and its ability to produce some of the best matchups imaginable.
Group I is looking particularly strong, with France, Senegal and Norway drawn together, along with a fourth team still to be determined by the FIFA Playoffs Tournament 2.
It means we will see two of the best strikers on the planet go head-to-head, with France’s Kylian Mbappé coming up against Norway’s Erling Haaland.
Here’s a little more on each team:
• France has reached the World Cup Final in four of the last seven tournaments and boasts a superstar lineup to back Mbappé, including Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise among many others.
• Norway has not reached the World Cup since 1998, but pairs Haaland with one of the best playmakers in the world, Martin Ødegaard. Haaland has been a force with Manchester City, while Odegaard has been a steady presence in the Arsenal midfield.
• Senegal will be no pushover either. The West African nation reached the Round of 16 in 2022 and is considered a sleeper team, currently ranked No. 19 by FIFA. The roster includes Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson, who plays on loan for Bayern Munich, and burgeoning teenage star Ibrahim Mbaye, who plays for Paris-Saint Germain, as well as veteran Sadio Mané.
This post has been updated with additional details on the group.
Analysis: World No. 1 Spain has a favorable draw
Spain is probably the early favorite to win next year’s World Cup and it will be very happy with its group.
The reigning European champion boasts a remarkable squad of players, led by wonderkid Lamine Yamal who is set to feature in his debut World Cup.
La Roja has been drawn in Group H alongside debutant Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and should easily top that group.
Both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are heavy underdogs in the tournament and Uruguay is struggling to rebuild after many of its best players have retired in recent years.
Analysis: The US is in a group with 2 teams that are not considered powerhouses
The United States knows two of its three opponents in Group D — and neither is considered a powerhouse.
Mauricio Pochettino’s USA squad will face Australia, which is ranked No. 26 by FIFA, and Paraguay, ranked No. 39.
Australia has become a mainstay at the World Cup: The Socceroos reached the Round of 16 in 2022 and 2006 but failed to advance out of group play in 2010, 2014, 2018.
Paraguay is back in the World Cup after failing to qualify in the last three tournaments. Los Guaraníes advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2010.
The final spot in Group D will go to whichever team qualifies from the European Playoffs C.
Kickoff times and host stadiums to be confirmed on Saturday
Now that we know which teams will play each other in the group stage, attention turns to when and where they will face each other.
Fans will have to wait until tomorrow, though, when FIFA will confirm the kickoffs times and host stadiums for the all games.
The full match schedule will be revealed during a live broadcast from Washington, DC which starts at 12 p.m. ET.
World Cup draw ends with "YMCA" performance
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw ended on a familiar note for events in Washington, DC, under President Donald Trump.
The Village People came out and sang their hit “YMCA.”
Some people in the crowd, dressed in suits, clapped along to the music, and Trump did his customary dance to the tune:
The final drawings from Pot 4 have set up the groups so we know what possible matchups to expect
Here’s the final group list for fans to revel in or stress about. Remember, the sorting was done such that no two teams from the same confederation – except Europe – had to face each other in the first stage.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs D
Group B: Canada, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, whichever team claims the spot from European Playoffs B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, whichever team claims the spot from FIFA Playoffs Tournament 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, the winner of FIFA Playoffs Tournament 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Fans react: Fond memories for a Scotland supporter
World Cup draws aren’t just an exciting look to the future, they can also be incredibly nostalgic.
The country of my birth, Scotland, is back in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years — and they are back with a bang, drawn against Brazil in Group C.
As soon as the draw was made, my mind flashed back to their group game in 1982, when an audacious strike from David Narey gave the Scots the lead. My father jumped from the sofa, shouted, “Goal,” clapped twice and turned up the TV so we could hear better. The mighty Brazil roared back to a 4-1 win.
Again in 1990, and yet again in 1998, Scotland met Brazil, this time in the opening game, when the Scots were beaten again. Scotland hasn’t played in the World Cup since then.
This will be the fifth time the national team will play Brazil in the tournament’s group stage — and maybe this time they can win! The Tartan Army can only hope, but it’s so good to be back.
Analysis: Curaçao faces European giant Germany in Group E
Curaçao made history as the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for a World Cup and it’s got an amazing game to start: European juggernaut Germany.
Both have been drawn into Group E, alongside Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Those inside the Curaçao camp wanted to play a big team on its debut and it’s certainly got its wish.
Teams in Pot 3 have been sorted into groups. Here's how the groups look now
Baseball’s Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ MVP, drew teams from Pot 3 into groups. The sorting was done such that no two teams from the same confederation had to face each other in the first stage.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia,
Group E: Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt
Group H: Span, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama
The first match of the 2026 World Cup has been set
South Africa and Mexico will play in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Both teams are in Group A. They will play on June 11 in Mexico City to kick off the race for the ultimate prize in international soccer.
Here's an update on where we stand with half the teams drawn
Time to take a quick breath.
All the Pot 2 teams have now been drawn out, and this is where we stand:
Group A: Mexico, Korea
Group B: Canada, Swizterland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan
Group G: Belgium, Iran
Group H: Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal
Group J: Argentina, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia
Draw kicks off for teams in pot 2 with South Korea
South Korea will go into Group A, joining Mexico there.
Meanwhile, Switzerland will go into Group B, joining Canada.
Morocco will join Brazil in Group C, which should be a good match to watch.
Australia joins the US in Group D, Ecuador is drawn into Group E joining Germany and Japan will play the Netherlands in Group F.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Norway and superstar Erling Haaland
No team is likely looking forward to a potential matchup with Norway, which is through to its first FIFA World Cup since the France 1998 tournament.
One of the main reasons for that is Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland. Haaland was born in England and could have theoretically represented the Three Lions.
He plundered a staggering 16 goals in eight qualifying matches. Two of those happened recently in the 4-1 thrashing of four-time World Cup winners Italy.
Haaland is in red-hot form right now, having just become the quickest player to reach 100 Premier League goals in just 111 matches. So keep an eye on the Norwegians in Pot 3.
Haaland is a generational talent who deserves his chance on the biggest global football platform there is. So far, he’s netted 55 times for his country in just 48 matches. At the age of just 25, there are surely many more to come.
Spain, Argentina and others get their draw position
Spain, the reigning European champion and current world number one, has been drawn into Group H.
Argentina was drawn into Group J, because Spain and Argentina must be in separate pathways, according to the rules.
France will be in Group I and Portugal will be in Group K.
France, led by Kylian Mbappé, was the runner-up in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo will look to guide his team to victory in his last chance at the trophy for Portugal.
Finally, England will go into Group L.
Draws starts with Brazil drawn into Group C
First ball out of the official draw and it’s already a team many will want to avoid.
Brazil maintains its record of qualifying for every World Cup competition to date and will be a tough team to beat next year.
Meanwhile, Germany goes into Group D, the Netherlands in Group F and Belgium in Group G.
This part of the draw will be very simple but just wait until we get to the Pot 2 teams.
