World Cup 2026 Groups: Every Team, Every Fixture

Forty-eight teams. Twelve groups. One hundred and four matches across three countries. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the biggest edition of the tournament ever staged — and it all begins with the group stage.

Whether you are running a prediction league, filling out a bracket, or simply trying to figure out which matches to watch, this is your complete guide to every World Cup 2026 group, every team, and the key fixtures you cannot miss.

How the 2026 World Cup Format Works

The expanded format places 48 teams into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches — one against every other side in their group. The top two from each group qualify automatically for the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams across all groups.

That means 32 of the 48 teams will advance to the knockout stage — a generous cut, but one that still leaves room for heartbreak. Finishing third with a poor goal difference could well send you home.

The group stage runs from 11 June to 27 June, followed by the brand-new Round of 32 from 28 June onward. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on 19 July.

All 12 Groups at a Glance

Group-by-Group Breakdown

Group A — Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

The hosts kicked off the tournament in style. Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 at Estadio Azteca on opening night, marking the first goal of the 2026 World Cup. South Korea edged Czechia 2–1 in the other opener. Mexico will fancy their chances of topping the group, but South Korea have serious pedigree at World Cups and will push them all the way.

Group B — Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

A group full of draws so far. Canada and Bosnia drew 1–1, as did Switzerland and Qatar. Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve special mention — they beat Italy on penalties in the playoffs to reach this World Cup, leaving the four-time champions out for a third straight tournament. Every team in this group still has a realistic chance of progressing.

Group C — Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

The headline: Brazil 1–1 Morocco. Morocco, the sensation of Qatar 2022, showed they are no one-hit wonder by holding the five-time champions to a draw. Scotland beat Haiti 1–0 to claim all three points in their opener. This group could come down to goal difference, with Brazil and Morocco expected to fight for top spot and Scotland battling for a third-place lifeline.

Group D — USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

The United States announced themselves with a thumping 4–1 victory over Paraguay — comfortably the most dominant host-nation performance of the opening round. Australia stunned Türkiye 2–0 in the same group, meaning Group D's co-hosts and Australia are sitting pretty after matchday one.

Group E — Germany, Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador

Germany 7–1 Curaçao was the performance of the tournament so far. The four-time champions were ruthless against the World Cup debutants, scoring seven in a demolition that echoed their famous 7–1 against Brazil in 2014. Côte d'Ivoire, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, beat Ecuador 1–0 in a tighter contest. Germany look ominous.

Group F — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

A group that refuses to settle. The Netherlands and Japan drew a thrilling 2–2, with Japan twice coming from behind. Sweden hammered Tunisia 5–1 in the other match, instantly making this one of the most unpredictable groups in the tournament. Japan showed in 2022 that they can beat anyone — Netherlands will know they need to improve.

Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium drew 1–1 with Egypt, and New Zealand drew with Iran — meaning all four teams have exactly one point after matchday one. This group is wide open. Belgium, despite their golden generation aging, remain the highest-ranked side, but Egypt's organisation and Iran's defensive resilience could make this a genuine four-way fight.

Group H — Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

The tournament's biggest shock so far? Cabo Verde 0–0 Spain. The tiny island nation, ranked 67th in the world and playing in their first ever World Cup, held the second-ranked team in the world to a goalless draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40, produced one of the great World Cup goalkeeping displays. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia also drew 1–1, leaving Group H on a knife-edge.

Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

The pre-tournament "Group of Death" and it is living up to its name. France beat Senegal 3–1 with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice in an electric performance. Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals of his own as Norway won their opener. Iraq, returning after a 40-year absence, will need results against both Senegal and France to have any chance.

Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Lionel Messi produced the moment of the tournament so far — a hat-trick in Argentina's 3–0 demolition of Algeria, which took him level with Miroslav Klose on the all-time World Cup scoring charts. At 38, Messi is playing in what is almost certainly his final World Cup, and he is making every minute count. Jordan, one of four debutants, will be hoping to make their mark against Austria.

Group K — Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Portugal's tournament started with a stumble: a 1–1 draw with DR Congo, who equalised through Yoane Wissa just before half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, was well marshalled by the Congolese defence. Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3–1 in the other match, putting themselves in a strong early position. This could be a group where Portugal finish second — or worse.

Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England and Croatia served up one of the best matches of the tournament. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham added a third moments after half-time, and Marcus Rashford sealed a 4–2 victory. It was a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and England were convincing. Ghana beat Panama 1–0 with a stoppage-time winner by Yirenkyi, keeping their hopes alive.

Key Numbers from Matchday 1

The 2026 World Cup has already delivered drama, shocks, and spectacular goals — and we are barely past matchday one. With the group stage running until 27 June and the expanded format giving more teams a shot at the knockout rounds, the best is almost certainly yet to come.

Track every score, predict every result, and compete with your mates in a ScorePit prediction league — the best way to experience every group-stage match.

Sources

This post was researched using the following sources:

• FIFA — World Cup 2026 Standings & Groups
• FIFA — Match Schedule, Fixtures & Results
• FIFA — Final Draw Results
• Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup
• ESPN — 2026 FIFA World Cup Match Schedule
• FOX Sports — World Cup 2026 Upsets
• NBC Sports — 2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings

Cover image: Aerial view of Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, renovated for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.