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World Cup 2026 groups: all groups from A to L

The 2026 World Cup contains 12 groups: group A to group L. There will be 48 countries from 6 continents divided over 12 groups, meaning each group consists of 4 teams. [ref] On this page you will find all World Cup groups with four countries each.

After the draw, it has become clear which countries are grouped together. It is now known which teams will face each other for a spot in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.

England has been drawn into Group L, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

World Cup 2026 groups

These are all World Cup groups, from group A to group L.

Group A
Mexico Mexico
South Africa South Africa
South Korea South Korea
UEFA Play-off D UEFA Play-off D
Group B
Canada Canada
UEFA Play-off A UEFA Play-off A
Qatar Qatar
Switzerland Switzerland
Group C
Brazil Brazil
Morocco Morocco
Haiti Haiti
Scotland Scotland
Group D
United States United States
Paraguay Paraguay
Australia Australia
UEFA Play-off C UEFA Play-off C
Group E
Germany Germany
Curaçao Curaçao
Ivory Coast Ivory Coast
Ecuador Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands Netherlands
Japan Japan
UEFA Play-off B UEFA Play-off B
Tunisia Tunisia
Group G
Belgium Belgium
Egypt Egypt
Iran Iran
New Zealand New Zealand
Group H
Spain Spain
Cape Verde Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Uruguay Uruguay
Group I
France France
Senegal Senegal
FIFA Play-off 2 FIFA Play-off 2
Norway Norway
Group J
Argentina Argentina
Algeria Algeria
Austria Austria
Jordan Jordan
Group K
Portugal Portugal
FIFA Play-off 1 FIFA Play-off 1
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan
Colombia Colombia
Group L
England England
Croatia Croatia
Ghana Ghana
Panama Panama

World Cup 2026 group composition

  1. Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Play-off D
  2. Canada, UEFA Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
  3. Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
  4. United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-off C
  5. Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
  6. Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Play-off B, Tunisia
  7. Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
  8. Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
  9. France, Senegal, FIFA Play-off 2, Norway
  10. Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
  11. Portugal, FIFA Play-off 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
  12. England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Placeholders for the group composition

  • UEFA Play-off A: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland
  • UEFA Play-off B: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
  • UEFA Play-off C: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania
  • UEFA Play-off D: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia
  • FIFA Play-off 1: New Caledonia/Jamaica vs DR Congo
  • FIFA Play-off 2: Bolivia/Suriname vs Iraq
Group layout of the 2026 World Cup
Group layout of the 2026 World Cup

World Cup 2026 group format

There are 12 groups. Each group consists of 4 countries, with the top 2 teams qualifying for the knockout stage, along with the 8 best third-placed teams. A total of 32 teams will advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

FIFA also considered other options to make the group format more attractive. [ref]:

  • 16 groups of 3 teams, with the top 1 and 2 qualifying.
  • 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top 1 and 2 and the 8 best third-placed teams qualifying.
  • 2 sections of 24 teams, each consisting of 6 groups of 4 teams. Winners of each section play each other in the final.

The group structure is included in article 12 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 regulations.

World Cup 2026 groups frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What do the World Cup groups consist of?

The World Cup groups consist of 12 groups of 4 teams each. The groups are labeled from A to L.

Which World Cup group is England in?

The England is placed in group L, with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

References

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    Date published: 14-08-2017 | Date modified: 08-12-2025 | Author:

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    The World Cup 2026 groups consist of 12 groups from A to L. 48 countries from 6 continents will be divided into 12 groups during the World Cup 2026.

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    Patrick (author and webmaster)

    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.