2026 FIFA World Cup Draw: USA, Mexico and Canada Get Favourable Groups
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is out, giving co-hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada a clearer picture of their opening challenges. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, many observers believe the new format has contributed to a more favourable set of World Cup groups for the co-hosts. Major football nations such as Argentina, France, England, and Spain also appear to have manageable paths in the early stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw .
In the World Cup groups, the United States finds itself in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of a European playoff featuring Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, or Romania. None of these teams are currently ranked in FIFA’s top 20, which gives the USA a realistic chance to progress. Coach Mauricio Pochettino will aim to guide the team through either the top two positions or as one of the best third-placed sides under the updated tournament format.
Mexico also has reasons to be optimistic after the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. They will face South Africa, South Korea, and a playoff winner from Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland. Canada, however, may have a tougher journey ahead. Their group includes Qatar and Switzerland, and could also feature Italy if the four-time champion qualifies through the playoffs. Canada, still looking for its first-ever World Cup point, enters the tournament with a challenging set of fixtures.
The expanded 48-team format results in more seeded teams and fewer top-tier clashes early on. This has created relatively balanced World Cup groups, with no single group standing out as a traditional group of death. France, for instance, will take on Senegal, Norway, and one of Bolivia, Suriname, or Iraq. England’s group includes Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Despite Croatia’s strong record in recent World Cups, many analysts believe the overall balance still favours top seeds like England.
Defending champions Argentina have been placed with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, a group they can navigate if they maintain form. European champions Spain will meet Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Even though their group appears manageable on paper, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente reminded everyone that the overall level is extremely competitive. He said that this edition will have exceptional quality across the board, urging his team to stay focused throughout the group stage.
Morocco, which made history by reaching the 2022 semifinals, faces a major opening match against Brazil. Coach Walid Regragui called it one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures, acknowledging that ever since Morocco’s 2022 heroics, every team is eager to challenge them. His squad aims to either win their group or advance comfortably to the next phase.
Some matchups in the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw carry historical weight. England versus Croatia is a repeat of the 2018 semifinal, while France meeting Senegal brings back memories of Senegal’s famous 1-0 win over the defending champions in 2002. France coach Didier Deschamps admitted that their group will demand full focus from the start.
The expanded tournament also gives underdog nations a rare platform. Tiny Curaçao, now the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, will face four-time champion Germany. Cape Verde, the third smallest to qualify, joins Spain’s group. Scotland, making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, will meet Brazil, a team they have never beaten in the tournament. They also face Morocco again, just like they did in 1998, with Haiti completing their group.
A storyline that fans around the world are watching closely is the potential for a historic Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo clash. Both legends are on track to appear in their sixth World Cup. If Argentina and Portugal win their groups, the earliest they could meet would be the quarterfinals, possibly in Kansas City. Messi will try to defend the title he won in 2022, while Ronaldo, who will be 41 at kickoff, continues his pursuit of the one major trophy missing from his career.
In the World Cup groups, the United States finds itself in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of a European playoff featuring Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, or Romania. None of these teams are currently ranked in FIFA’s top 20, which gives the USA a realistic chance to progress. Coach Mauricio Pochettino will aim to guide the team through either the top two positions or as one of the best third-placed sides under the updated tournament format.
Mexico also has reasons to be optimistic after the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. They will face South Africa, South Korea, and a playoff winner from Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland. Canada, however, may have a tougher journey ahead. Their group includes Qatar and Switzerland, and could also feature Italy if the four-time champion qualifies through the playoffs. Canada, still looking for its first-ever World Cup point, enters the tournament with a challenging set of fixtures.
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The expanded 48-team format results in more seeded teams and fewer top-tier clashes early on. This has created relatively balanced World Cup groups, with no single group standing out as a traditional group of death. France, for instance, will take on Senegal, Norway, and one of Bolivia, Suriname, or Iraq. England’s group includes Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Despite Croatia’s strong record in recent World Cups, many analysts believe the overall balance still favours top seeds like England.
Defending champions Argentina have been placed with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, a group they can navigate if they maintain form. European champions Spain will meet Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Even though their group appears manageable on paper, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente reminded everyone that the overall level is extremely competitive. He said that this edition will have exceptional quality across the board, urging his team to stay focused throughout the group stage.
Morocco, which made history by reaching the 2022 semifinals, faces a major opening match against Brazil. Coach Walid Regragui called it one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures, acknowledging that ever since Morocco’s 2022 heroics, every team is eager to challenge them. His squad aims to either win their group or advance comfortably to the next phase.
Some matchups in the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw carry historical weight. England versus Croatia is a repeat of the 2018 semifinal, while France meeting Senegal brings back memories of Senegal’s famous 1-0 win over the defending champions in 2002. France coach Didier Deschamps admitted that their group will demand full focus from the start.
The expanded tournament also gives underdog nations a rare platform. Tiny Curaçao, now the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, will face four-time champion Germany. Cape Verde, the third smallest to qualify, joins Spain’s group. Scotland, making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, will meet Brazil, a team they have never beaten in the tournament. They also face Morocco again, just like they did in 1998, with Haiti completing their group.
A storyline that fans around the world are watching closely is the potential for a historic Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo clash. Both legends are on track to appear in their sixth World Cup. If Argentina and Portugal win their groups, the earliest they could meet would be the quarterfinals, possibly in Kansas City. Messi will try to defend the title he won in 2022, while Ronaldo, who will be 41 at kickoff, continues his pursuit of the one major trophy missing from his career.
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