World cup draw sets 2026 opener
Mexico will face South Africa as hosts launch the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup draw placed joint-hosts Mexico and South Africa in the tournament opener at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, with Mexico to face South Africa followed by South Korea against a playoff winner. South Africa return to the finals for the first time since 2010. Hosts the United States and Canada begin their campaigns the following day, facing Paraguay in Los Angeles and a playoff winner—potentially Italy—in Toronto.
The expanded 48-team tournament was drawn into 12 groups of four, producing a 104-match schedule across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and will culminate in the final in New Jersey on July 19. FIFA introduced a new seeding mechanism to keep the current top four nations—Spain, defending champions Argentina, 2022 runners-up France and England—apart until the semi-finals if they top their groups. Venues and kickoff times for non-host groups will be confirmed later as FIFA seeks to optimize scheduling for global television audiences; final adjustments may occur in March once six remaining playoff qualifiers are decided.
Separately, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a newly created FIFA Peace Prize at a pre-draw ceremony in Washington, awarding the honor without a Council vote and citing diplomatic initiatives including the Abraham Accords and recent deals involving Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Infantino praised Trump as a leader who promotes peace and unity.
Notable group placements include defending champions Argentina drawn with Algeria, Austria and Jordan; five-time winners Brazil paired with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. Scotland returned to the finals for the first time since 1998. France will open against Senegal, recalling the 2002 upset when Senegal beat then-holders France in their opening match. England begin against Croatia, their 2018 semi-final conquerors, and also face Panama, whom England routed 6-1 in the 2018 group stage.
The draw leaves several playoff slots undecided, meaning some groups will still await final composition. FIFA plans a separate announcement to reveal venues and kickoff times in a globally broadcast event, with the schedule subject to later refinements after playoff outcomes are known.
