World Cup 2026 Draw: England Face Two 2018 Reunions, Scotland Land Brazil
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held today at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has set the stage for a compelling tournament next summer. With the competition expanded to 48 teams for the first time, the draw was a highly anticipated event, revealing intriguing matchups and potential pathways to glory.
England's Group L promises a nostalgic trip back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Three Lions will face Croatia, a team that defeated them in the semi-finals that year. They will also meet Panama, whom they comfortably beat in the group stage of the same tournament. Completing Group L is Ghana, a nation England has never faced in a World Cup. The group's matches will be held across four US cities – Dallas, Boston, New York/New Jersey, and Philadelphia – as well as Toronto.
Scotland, drawn into Group C, faces a daunting challenge against Brazil, a team they also encountered in their last World Cup appearance. Morocco, who had a remarkable run in the 2022 World Cup, and Haiti complete their group.
The draw has produced several other noteworthy outcomes. The United States, one of the host nations, finds itself in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of UEFA Playoff C. Mexico, another host nation, will compete in Group A against South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of UEFA Playoff D. Canada, the third host, is in Group B with Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of UEFA Playoff A.
Group I has been labeled by some as the "Group of Death," featuring France, Senegal, Norway, and the winner of FIFA Playoff 2. Other potentially challenging groups include Group F, with the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and the winner of UEFA Playoff B, and Group H, consisting of Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion of the tournament, with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will begin on June 11 in Mexico City with a match between Mexico and South Africa. The final is scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The draw ceremony itself was a star-studded affair, with figures like Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, Tom Brady, and Wayne Gretzky participating. Adding to the spectacle, former U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the event.
With the groups now set, anticipation builds for the remaining playoff matches in March 2026, which will determine the final six teams to complete the 48-nation lineup. The stage is set for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting FIFA World Cup in history.
