The 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs are over and we now know the full 48-team field for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
During December’s World Cup draw, 42 teams that had qualified were placed into their respective groups. Six groups were slotted with the winners of the playoff finals.
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The United States, having automatically qualified as one of the tournament hosts, was already slotted into Group D. It will begin its tournament June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California against Paraguay. The Americans will then play Australia before finishing the group stage against Türkiye, which beat Kosovo on Tuesday to qualify.
Canada is in Group B and will open against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. Its final two group stage games will be against Qatar and Switzerland.
Mexico gets the honor of hosting the opening match of the World Cup on June 11 against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The co-hosts will also face Korea and Czechia in Group A.
Qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup
AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
OFC: New Zealand
UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia
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World Cup 2026 format
The 48 teams were drawn in 12 four-team groups. Each team will play three games within its group to determine the countries that will advance to the knockout round stage.
There will be 32 teams advancing to the knockout round following the group stage. The top two teams from each group will move on along with the eight best third-place teams. Tiebreakers will consist of (in order) goal differential, goals scored, head-to-head play, fair play record and then drawing of lots.
For this World Cup, FIFA has made tweaks. In the pursuit of competitive balance, two pathways have been created to the semifinals that will prevent the two highest-ranking teams from meeting before the final should they win their respective groups. As an example, Spain is the highest-ranked team in the tournament, with defending champion Argentina ranked second. Those two nations were drawn into opposite pathways. It is the same for France (No. 3) and England (No. 4), so the top four teams, should they win their groups, will not meet until the semifinals.
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As with all World Cups, teams from the same confederation (example: Brazil and Uruguay) were unable to be drawn into the same group, except for those from Europe.
World Cup 2026 groups, match schedule, how to watch
(all times Eastern)
GROUP A
1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. Korea Republic
4. Czechia
Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. Czechia, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
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GROUP B
1. Canada
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Qatar
4. Switzerland
Friday, June 12, 3 p.m. (Fox): Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 13, 3 p.m. (Fox): Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)
GROUP C
1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Haiti
4. Scotland
Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. (FS1): Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 9 p.m. (Fox): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
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GROUP D
1. United States
2. Paraguay
3. Australia
4. Türkiye
Friday, June 12, 9 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. Türkiye, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 19, 12 a.m. (FS1): Türkiye vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (Fox): Türkiye vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
GROUP E
1. Germany
2. Curaçao
3. Ivory Coast
4. Ecuador
Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (Fox): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
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GROUP F
1. Netherlands
2. Japan
3. Sweden
4. Tunisia
Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sunday, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): Sweden vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Sweden, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. Sweden, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (Fox): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP G
1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. New Zealand
Monday, June 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Monday, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)
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GROUP H
1. Spain
2. Cape Verde
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay
Monday, June 15, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Monday, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
GROUP I
1. France
2. Senegal
3. Iraq/Bolivia
4. Norway
Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq, BMO Field (Toronto)
GROUP J
1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. Austria
4. Jordan
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Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP K
1. Portugal
2. DR Congo
3. Uzbekistan
4. Colombia
Friday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. DR Congo, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP L
1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama
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Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Friday, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
World Cup knockout round schedule
(all times Eastern)
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group A second place vs. Group B second place, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Monday, June 29, 1 p.m. (Fox): Group C winner vs. Group F second place, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. (Fox): Group E winner vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place, Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Monday, June 29, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group F winner vs. Group C second place, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Tuesday, June 30, 1 p.m (Fox): Group E second place vs. Group I second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Tuesday, June 30, 5 p.m. (Fox): Group I winner vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 30, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group A winner vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, July 1, 12 p.m. (Fox): Group L winner vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. (FS1): Group G winner vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. (Fox): Group D winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place, Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay)
Thursday, July 2, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group H winner vs. Group J second place, SoFI Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (Fox): Group K second place vs. Group L second place, BMO Field (Toronto)
Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. (FS1): Group B winner vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, July 3, 2 p.m. (Fox): Group D second place vs. Group G second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. (Fox): Group J winner vs. Group H second place, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, July 3, 9:30 p.m. (Fox): Group K winner vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
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Round of 16
Saturday, July 4, 1 p.m. (Fox): NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. (Fox): Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. (Fox): Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Monday, July 6, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Monday, July 6, 8 p.m. (Fox): Lumen Field (Seattle)
Tuesday, July 7, 12 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Tuesday, July 7, 4 p.m. (Fox): BC Place (Vancouver)
Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. (Fox): Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. (Fox): SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. (Fox): Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
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Semifinals
Tuesday, July 14, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Wednesday, July 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Third-place game
Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Final
Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
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