The highly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting tournament in history. With 48 teams competing for the first time across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the draw at the Kennedy Center has revealed the potential opponents for the host nation, USA.

The United States, as one of the host nations, was automatically placed in Pot 1 and assigned to Group D. This ensured that the USMNT would avoid other top-ranked teams in the group stage, such as Argentina, Brazil, France, and Spain. However, the draw still presented a range of challenging possibilities for the Americans as they look to progress deep into the tournament on home soil.

Here's a breakdown of the USMNT's Group D opponents:

• Pot 2: The USMNT will face Croatia, a team currently ranked 10th in the FIFA rankings. Croatia has a strong World Cup pedigree, finishing as runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022.
• Pot 3: From Pot 3, the USMNT drew Scotland, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
• Pot 4: The final team to join Group D is New Zealand.

Potential Group Stage Scenarios

With the draw complete, the USMNT now knows the teams they will face in the group stage. Their opening match will be on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Their second game is June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, and they will return to SoFi Stadium on June 25 for their final group stage match.

Tournament Overview

The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, with Canada also hosting matches starting June 12. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This expanded format will feature a total of 104 matches.

The top four ranked teams in the world--Spain, Argentina, France, and England--were placed on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning they could not meet until the semi-finals, assuming they win their groups.

What's Next?

Following the draw, FIFA is expected to announce the full match schedule, including kickoff times, on Saturday, December 6. Fans can also anticipate further details regarding venues and team assignments in the coming days.

The stage is now set for an unforgettable World Cup in 2026, and soccer fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the action.