Result of the 2026 World Cup draw with England in Group L
The group draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on Friday evening in Washington, D.C. The tournament, which will be held next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time. The teams are divided into twelve groups of four nations.
Update: England has been drawn into Group L, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
The host nations Mexico, Canada and the United States had already been allocated to Groups A, B and D respectively. The remaining teams were assigned through four pots, based on world rankings and continental distribution. The yet-to-be-determined play-off winners received a provisional place in the draw and will be added officially at a later date.
Group allocation from A to L
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA play-offs D
- Group B: Canada, UEFA play-offs A, Qatar, Switzerland
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA play-offs C
- Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA play-offs B, Tunisia
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA play-offs 2, Norway
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- Group K: Portugal, FIFA play-offs 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Countries participating in play-offs
European play-offs (UEFA):
- UEFA play-offs A: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy/Northern Ireland
- UEFA play-offs B: Ukraine/Sweden vs. Poland/Albania
- UEFA play-offs C: Slovakia/Kosovo vs. Türkiye/Romania
- UEFA play-offs D: Czechia/Republic of Ireland vs. Denmark/North Macedonia
Intercontinental play-offs (FIFA):
- FIFA play-offs 1: New Caledonia/Jamaica vs. DR Congo
- FIFA play-offs 2: Bolivia/Suriname vs. Iraq
Presenters with Hollywood flair
The ceremony had all the hallmarks of a major entertainment event. Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart hosted the evening, supported by actor Danny Ramirez. The draw itself was conducted by former international Rio Ferdinand, who, together with presenter Samantha Johnson, provided the sporting structure of the show.
Star-studded stage
Alongside the presenters, several American sports icons appeared on stage to accompany the draw. Among them NFL legend Tom Brady, basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, ice hockey hero Wayne Gretzky and baseball star Aaron Judge. Their presence gave the draw a distinctly American feel, with plenty of show and spectacle.
Political figures in attendance
The draw took on added weight with the presence of three heads of state. US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Brianna Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attended the event. Their presence highlighted the geopolitical and commercial importance of the tournament.
Music show as closing act
The evening was enlivened by performances from international artists such as Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and Nicole Scherzinger. The final act by the Village People provided a festive conclusion in keeping with American show tradition.
Looking ahead to the tournament
With the draw completed, the first step towards the tournament has been taken. The full match schedule, host cities and kick-off times will be published soon. Fans can look forward to a long, extensive World Cup with more matches than ever before.
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This is the result of the 2026 World Cup draw. England has been placed in Group L, with Croatia, Ghana and Panama as opponents in the group stage.
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Author of this content is Patrick. I have been playing soccer for more than 25 years and follow the daily news closely. My hobbies include playing football, running and maintaining various websites, in addition to my job as a financial professional.
I do not work for any related company or institution, so the information is reliable and independent. The information has been collected accurately from reliable sources and is regularly updated.