◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ France, Norway and Senegal clash as Group Stage draw results were announced..

The draw for the Group Stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada, and Mexico took place on Friday in Washington, D.C. As the inaugural World Cup with 48 teams, the draw has produced many highly anticipated matches.

To mark the occasion, leaders of the co-host countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, were present. Representatives from the 22 football associations of the 46 participating countries also attended in formal attire.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, who had previously threatened to boycott the event due to his country's political stance conflicting with the United States, ultimately sent a representative to attend.

Before the official start of the draw ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

Established this year, the prize recognizes those who have made extraordinary contributions to resolving conflicts, promoting peace, and uniting people around the world.

Following a spectacular performance, the ceremony was hosted by Manchester United and England legendary international defender Rio Ferdinand, with former US U17s women's national team defender Samantha Johnson serving as assistant host. 

Guests including representatives from the four major North American professional leagues—Tom Brady (American football), Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey), Aaron Judge (baseball), and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal (basketball)—drew the draw.

To ensure fair competition, the draw established two independent pathways to the semifinals. 

The world's top four teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—were randomly placed into different halves of the bracket to prevent them from meeting early. 

No more than one team from the same confederation could be in each group, and a maximum of two UEFA teams could be in the same group.

The 48 teams in this World Cup will be divided into 12 groups, A through L. 

According to the format, the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 32s.

Defending champions Argentina have been drawn into Group J, alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. If they maintain their form, Argentina should have no problem advancing from the group stage.

Title favorites Spain are in Group H, with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama; Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, four evenly matched teams, are in Group G.

Group K features Portugal and Colombia, where the in-form Luis Díaz and the experienced Cristiano Ronaldo will clash.

The Netherlands, Germany, and Brazil also have favorable draws. Last year's runners-up, France, are grouped with Norway and Senegal. The duel between Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Sadio Mané will be a highlight of Group I.

As for the host nations, Mexico is tied for Group A with South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of the European playoffs Group D; Canada is in Group B with Qatar, Switzerland, and the winner of the European playoffs Group A; the United States is in Group D, alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of the European playoffs Group C.

The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada, and Mexico will be Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11th.

The following are the draw results for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada, Mexico:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, winner of the European playoffs Group D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland)

Group B: Canada, winner of the European playoffs Group A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina), Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, winner of the European playoffs Group C (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, European Group B Playoff Winners (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania), Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Winners of FIFA Playoff Group 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq), Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Winners of FIFA Playoff Group 1 (New Caledonia/Jamaica/DRC), Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama