The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw placed 48 nations into 12 groups, setting the stage for the expanded tournament.

Co-host Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match on June 11. The complete schedule will be released on Saturday.

The draw ceremony took place at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on Friday. Teams were divided into four pots of 12 based on world rankings. Each group received one team from each pot, with the rule that no two teams from the same confederation, except UEFA, could be drawn together.

Defending champion Argentina entered Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Runner-up France landed in Group I with Senegal, Norway, and the winner of FIFA Playoff 2. England joined Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, while Portugal drew Group K with Colombia, Uz

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