The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The three host nations qualified automatically for the final tournament. The remaining 45 places were awarded through the qualification tournaments of FIFA's six continental confederations.

The qualification matches were played between 2023 and 2026. Due to the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, significantly more nations were able to qualify for the World Cup finals. For the first time in history, 48 countries will compete in a FIFA World Cup.

In addition to the direct qualification spots, the final places were decided through the UEFA play-offs and the intercontinental play-offs. This provided additional opportunities for teams from smaller football nations to secure a place at the World Cup.

Final Tournament Draw

The group stage draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The 48 qualified teams were divided into twelve groups of four nations each. Host nations Mexico, Canada and the United States had already been assigned to specific groups before the draw.

The teams were allocated into four pots of twelve nations based on the FIFA World Ranking. At the time of the draw, the four UEFA play-off winners and the two intercontinental play-off winners had not yet been determined and were therefore automatically placed into Pot 4.

Pot 1:

• United States (Host Nation)
• Mexico (Host Nation)
• Canada (Host Nation)
• Spain
• Argentina
• France
• England
• Brazil
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Germany

Pot 2:

• Croatia
• Morocco
• Colombia
• Uruguay
• Switzerland
• Japan
• Senegal
• Iran
• South Korea
• Ecuador
• Austria
• Australia

Pot 3:

• Norway
• Panama
• Egypt
• Algeria
• Scotland
• Paraguay
• Tunisia
• Ivory Coast
• Uzbekistan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

Pot 4:

• Jordan
• Cape Verde
• Ghana
• Curaçao
• Haiti
• New Zealand
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (UEFA Play-off A)
• Sweden (UEFA Play-off B)
• Turkey (UEFA Play-off C)
• Czech Republic (UEFA Play-off D)
• DR Congo (Intercontinental Play-off 1)
• Iraq (Intercontinental Play-off 2)

2026 FIFA World Cup Groups

Following the draw, the twelve groups were determined as follows:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
• Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
• Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage. The final tournament will then continue with a Round of 32 for the first time in FIFA World Cup history.

Squad Size

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, national associations will once again be allowed to name expanded squads. FIFA has approved a maximum squad size of 26 players per team, maintaining the same regulations that were in place for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The larger squad size gives national team coaches greater flexibility to deal with injuries, suspensions and the physical demands of a tournament that will, for the first time, feature 104 matches. As a result, up to 1,248 players could participate in the final tournament.

Match Schedule and Kick-off Times

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, and concludes with the Final on July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, a FIFA World Cup tournament will be played over a period of 40 days.

The opening match will take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near New York City. Due to the vast distances between host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, kick-off times will vary significantly throughout the tournament. For viewers in Europe, many matches will take place during the evening or overnight hours.

A total of 104 matches will be played. Following the group stage, the tournament will continue with a Round of 32 for the first time, before progressing through the Round of 16, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals on the road to the World Cup Final.

Qualified Nations

For the first time ever, 48 national teams will participate in a FIFA World Cup. Hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States qualified automatically. The remaining places were decided through the qualification competitions of FIFA’s six continental confederations.

World Cup debutants include Curaçao, Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan. Several nations are also returning to the global stage after long absences. Norway, Austria and Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, while Haiti and DR Congo return for the first time since 1974. Iraq has qualified for its first World Cup since 1986.

Notable Qualifications:

• Curaçao – first FIFA World Cup appearance in history
• Jordan – first FIFA World Cup appearance in history
• Cape Verde – first FIFA World Cup appearance in history
• Uzbekistan – first FIFA World Cup appearance in history
• Norway – qualified for the first time since 1998
• Austria – qualified for the first time since 1998
• Scotland – qualified for the first time since 1998
• Haiti – qualified for the first time since 1974
• DR Congo – qualified for the first time since 1974
• Iraq – qualified for the first time since 1986

Key Facts at a Glance

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by three countries for the first time: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
• 48 national teams will compete in the final tournament.
• The tournament will be played from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
• A total of 104 matches will be played.
• The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
• For the first time, the knockout phase will begin with a Round of 32.
• The opening match will be played in Mexico City, while the Final will take place in the New York metropolitan area.