World Cup 2026 draw LIVE
The eyes of the football world were on Washington, D.C. on Friday evening as the group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup took place. For the first time, 48 nations will be competing for the biggest prize in the sport as an expanded tournament takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The biggest show in sport has never been bigger.
Sporting heroes of American sports were on hand to draw balls - of which there are many - from pots as 12 groups - A to L - are made up of four nations. England will head across the pond as one of the tournament favourites, and Thomas Tuchel will be confident of progression having seen the Three Lions paired with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 and will face Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
US President Donald Trump was invited to attend the ceremony at the Kennedy Centre, and received the newly created ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ from governing body president Gianni Infantino. Tomorrow will see the dates, times and venues of all 104 matches be confirmed. Follow the 2026 World Cup draw back below!
World Cup draw latest news
- England draw in full
- Scotland get Brazil
Shearer reacts
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFormer England captain Alan Shearer has delivered his immediate reaction to the 2026 World Cup draw.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “It’s a decent draw for England, it could have been tougher, it could have been easier.
“The route, if things go as planned… which never happens, is a tough one. It’s a big if, things have to go to plan for England and other teams for the route to the final that people are talking about, but if that is the case then it is a tough draw from the quarterfinals onwards.
“But overall, I think the draw is decent, I wouldn’t go overboard and say it’s a brilliant draw.
“It’s a tough opener against Croatia, having played them so many times, but ultimately, we have to be confident that we can get through, it would be pretty bad if we didn’t get through to the knockouts, but having seen the draw, I’m absolutely confident that England will get through.”
World Cup draw in full
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Click here for the draw in full!
World Cup draw live
19:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd that concludes the 2026 World Cup draw!
Reaction to follow.
World Cup draw live
19:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup G is complete!
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
World Cup draw live
19:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup L is complete!
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
World Cup draw live
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup K is complete!
Portugal, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
World Cup draw live
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup J is complete!
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
World Cup draw live
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup F is complete!
Netherlands, Japan, European Play-Off B, Tunisia
World Cup draw live
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup D is complete!
USA, Paraguay, Australia, Play-off European C
World Cup draw live
19:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup H is complete!
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
World Cup draw live
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup I is complete!
France, Senegal, FIFA Play-Off 2, Norway
World Cup draw live
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup E is complete!
Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
World Cup draw live
18:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup C is complete!
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
World Cup draw live
18:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup B is complete!
Canada, Play-off European A, Qatar, Switzerland
World Cup draw live
18:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup A is complete!
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Play-off European D
World Cup draw live
18:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere are the teams in Pot 4.
Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A, B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2
World Cup draw live
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama
World Cup draw live
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup I: France, Senegal, Norway
Another tough group.
World Cup draw live
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup L: England, Croatia, Panama
World Cup draw live
18:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia
World Cup draw live
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria
World Cup draw live
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
World Cup draw live
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
World Cup draw live
18:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
World Cup draw live
18:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
World Cup draw live
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
World Cup draw live
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup D: USA, Paraguay, Australia
USA know their opening game!
World Cup draw live
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
World Cup draw live
18:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Mexico vs South Africa in the opener!
World Cup draw live
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how the group stage is shaping up...
Group A: Mexico, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan
Group G: Belgium, Iran
Group H: Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal
Group J: Argentina, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia
World Cup draw live
18:44 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePot 3 teams
Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
World Cup draw live
18:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneColombia go in with Portugal and that means England will be paired with Croatia.
World Cup draw live
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoining Argentina in Group J is Austria.
World Cup draw live
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOut next is Senegal and they are in with France. A repeat of the 2002 opener.
World Cup draw live
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneUruguay in in Group H with Spain. Oooof, what a group.
World Cup draw live
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBelgium are joined by Iran in Group G.
World Cup draw live
18:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJapan in Group F with Netherlands.
World Cup draw live
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEcuador go into Group E with Germany.
Position four for the South Americans.
World Cup draw live
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJoining USA in Group D is Australia.
Position three for the Socceroos.
World Cup draw live
18:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMorocco go into Brazil’s group.
Group C is one to avoid.
World Cup draw live
18:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNext out is Switzerland in Group B, position four.
Joining Canada.
World Cup draw live
18:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFirst team out of pot 2 is South Korea and they go into Mexico’s group in position three.
World Cup draw live
18:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere are the teams in Pot 2.
Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
World Cup draw live
18:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup A: Mexico
Group B: Canada
Group C: Brazil
Group D: USA
Group E: Germany
Group F: Netherlands
Group G: Belgium
Group H: Spain
Group I: France
Group J: Argentina
Group K: Portugal
Group L: England
World Cup draw live
18:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGroup K gets Portugal and that means England will go into Group L.
World Cup draw live
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFrance go into Group I.
World Cup draw live
18:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDefending champions Argentina are in Group J.
World Cup draw live
18:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is Group H for Spain.
World Cup draw live
18:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBelgium are next out. Group G for the Red Devils.
World Cup draw live
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNetherlands are next out in Group F.
World Cup draw live
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGermany are next out. They go into Group E.
World Cup draw live
18:27 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFirst team out is...
Brazil. They go into Group C.
World Cup draw live
18:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd in what FIFA say is to ensure competitive balance, the world’s top two-ranked teams - Spain and Argentina - have been paired together and placed on opposite sides of the draw, tennis-style.
The same is also the case for the No3 and No4-ranked teams, France and England.
If all four of those nations win their group, as expected, then England would avoid Spain and Argentina until the semi-finals should they progress, and France until the final.
World Cup draw live
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith the three host nations already being drawn, here are the remaining nine teams in Pot 1.
Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
HERE WE GO!
18:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is not a drill. The World Cup draw is about to start!
I know this because we are going through the teams in Pot 1.
World Cup draw live
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWayne Gretzky, Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal are among the big sporting legends on stage for the draw.
World Cup draw live
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOne more big surprise...of course!
World Cup draw live
18:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe technical side of the draw is being explained.
To save you some time...
The 40 teams who have qualified for the World Cup so far have been placed in four pots of 12, based on FIFA’s latest world rankings.
One team from each pot - starting with pot 1 and ending with pot 4 - will be drawn into each group from A to L. No teams from the same pot can be in the same group.
Canada, Mexico and the USA are all in pot 1 because of their status as co-hosts. Mexico will be in Group A, with Canada in Group B and the USA in Group D.
There will be no more than two European nations in any group, and just one nation from every other confederation in a group.
And in what FIFA say is to ensure competitive balance, the world’s top two-ranked teams - Spain and Argentina - have been paired together and placed on opposite sides of the draw, tennis-style. The same is also the case for the No3 and No4-ranked teams, France and England.
If all four of those nations win their group, as expected, then England would avoid Spain and Argentina until the semi-finals should they progress, and France until the final.
World Cup draw live
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGreat, another skit.
World Cup draw live
18:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSamantha Johnson will be the co-draw conductor.
World Cup draw live
18:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere comes Rio Ferdinand to the stage. Think Kevin Hart butchered the pronunciation of the former England defender’s surname but we will let that slide.
World Cup draw live
18:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRio Ferdinand doing a skit...
World Cup draw live
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWhisper it, but the draw is just moments away.
World Cup draw live
18:07 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRio Ferdinand says it’s “showtime”.
Showtime 🙏🏽@FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/dGuHn3pb3v
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 5, 2025
World Cup draw live
18:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe vibes inside the Kennedy Centre...
World Cup draw live
18:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI thought the draw was officially starting, instead we are being treated to another performance.
Lauryn Hill is here, good choice!
World Cup draw live
17:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe legendary Hugo Sanchez is being interviewed now. 29 goals in 58 caps for Mexico.
World Cup draw live
17:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTime for more montages. To be fair, these are great!
Confirmed seeds and pots
17:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland are in pot 1 for the draw thanks to their current FIFA world ranking of fourth, and are joined by the three host nations.
Scotland, ranked at 36th, are in pot 3, which means they could be drawn with England in the group stage.
There are six slots in pot 4 reserved for the winners of the UEFA and inter-confederation play-offs in March.
Pot 1
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, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand and six play-off winners.
World Cup draw live
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFIFA president Gianni Infantino insists on delaying the draw by requesting a selfie with the three presidents.
World Cup draw live
17:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMark Carney draws Canada from Pot 1. They are placed in Group A.
Claudia Sheinbaum draws Mexico who go into Group B.
Donald Trump draws USA who are in Group D.
World Cup draw live
17:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTHE WORLD CUP DRAW IS UNDERWAY!
World Cup draw live
17:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePresident Donald Trump gets the audience to give the late Pele a round of applause. Fair play!
World Cup draw live
17:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDonald Trump, Mark Carney and Claudia Sheinbaum are all on stage to draw balls for USA, Canada and Mexico respectively.
World Cup draw live
17:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOK, the World Cup is draw is about to start. Finally!
World Cup draw live
17:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOh great, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is back on stage.
Has joked the draw will be done in a different way. Calls on three assistants for the draw.
World Cup draw live
17:44 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe city hosts involved in each World Cup group are as follows...
Group A: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City (Mexico), Atlanta (US)
Group B: Toronto, Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle (US)
Group C: Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (US)
Group D: Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle (US)
Group E: Toronto (Canada), Houston, Kansas, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (US)
Group F: Monterrey (Mexico), Dallas, Houston, Kansas (US)
Group G: Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, Seattle (US)
Group H: Guadalajara (Mexico), Atlanta, Houston, Miami (US)
Group I: Toronto (Canada), Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (US)
Group J: Dallas, Kansas, San Francisco (US)
Group K: Guadalajara, Mexico City (Mexico), Atlanta, Houston, Miami (USA)
Group L: Toronto (Canada), Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia (USA)
World Cup draw live
17:43 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrazil legend Roberto Carlos has hailed Carlo Ancelotti who will lead the Selecao at the World Cup next summer.
World Cup draw live
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWell, that’s a bit awkward. Lionel Scaloni just delivered a speech on guiding Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 but host Heidi Klum didn’t seem to understand a word that was said.
World Cup draw live
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere comes Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni with the World Cup trophy.
Can he guide Argentina to back-to-back successes at the World Cup?
World Cup draw live
17:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThese montages are the best thing about the build up to the draw. Currently going through the previous winners of the World Cup.
World Cup draw live
17:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePresident Donald Trump is speaking now, thanks his family, including his wife. Says the world is a safer place now.
World Cup draw live
17:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGianni Infantino lists the reasons President Donald Trump has been given the FIFA Peace Prize award.
Now he is praising Trump as a leader.
World Cup draw live
17:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePresident Donald Trump places his medal around his neck. Guess he will be wearing that with huge pride.
World Cup draw live
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePresident Donald Trump has a microphone!
World Cup draw live
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePresident Donald Trump receives the newly created ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ from governing body president Gianni Infantino.
World Cup draw live
17:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneReliably informed the serious business of the World Cup draw is not too far away.
World Cup draw live
17:27 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAfter that stirring performance from Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, we are treated to another video montage.
This time about peace.
World Cup draw live
17:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTime for some entertainment. Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger performing on stage now.
If this doesn’t liven up the audience, after Gianni Infantino’s spectacular attempt, then I don’t know what will...
World Cup draw live
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneComedian Kevin Hart has teased some information regarding the World Cup final half time show.
Guess we will have to wait until next July to find out more.
World Cup draw live
17:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGianni Infantino is operating like the host at a party, directing chants of ‘USA’ from the Americans in attendance.
He then follows that up with getting the Canadians to chant ‘Canada, Canada’.
Interesting, to say the least.
World Cup draw live
17:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGianni Infantino is doing his best to sell us the World Cup. Problem is, he doesn’t need to as we all love a World Cup, don’t we?
World Cup draw live
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGianni Infantino, on stage, has introduced the Trumps.
World Cup draw live
17:12 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHosts Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart have welcomed Gianni Infantino on stage.
When will the World Cup 2026 fixture schedule be confirmed?
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe World Cup draw takes place today, though fans face a wait for the entire fixture schedule for the 2026 tournament to be confirmed.
World Cup draw live
17:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneListening to the sounds of Andrea Bocelli,
World Cup draw live
17:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneU.S President Donald Trump will have two minutes to make some remarks during the World Cup draw.
That should be interesting.
World Cup draw live
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA nice video montage to get us started. The World Cup truly is the greatest spectacle on the planet!
HERE WE GO!
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe 2026 World Cup draw ceremony is officially underway.
Fates are about to decided!
NOT LONG NOW!
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe 2026 World Cup draw is coming up next!
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
