Washington, 6 December (H.S.): The highly anticipated draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center, revealing the group stage layout for the first-ever 48-team edition of football’s premier global tournament. Hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this landmark event promises a fresh group format and a record number of matches.

Several compelling matchups emerged from the draw, marking a new era beyond the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo epoch. Football’s latest superstars, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, will be pitted against each other in the so-called “Group of Death” (Group I) alongside African powerhouse Senegal and the European playoff winner from Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania—setting the stage for a fierce competition.

Defending surprise semi-finalists Morocco have been drawn into Group C with five-time champions Brazil, along with Scotland and Haiti, intensifying the challenge for all group members. England is set to clash with Croatia in Group L, where the arrival of Ghana and Panama also raises the stakes. Italy’s participation through the European playoffs would place them in a highly competitive Group B alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland, making qualification predictions challenging.

The tournament’s curtain-raiser will see Mexico taking on South Africa on home soil, while South Korea, along with the European playoff winner from Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland, will also compete in Group A. The complete group listing is as follows:

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European Playoff Winner D

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European Playoff Winner A

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, European Playoff Winner C

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European Playoff Winner B

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand

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

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff Winner (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq)

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, JordanGroup K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA Playoff Winner (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo)Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

The expanded format and highly competitive groups promise an exhilarating World Cup, spotlighting emerging talents and traditional giants alike, kicking off with the opening match on Mexican soil.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar