The official draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will be the first expanded 48-team tournament, sparked immense excitement, anticipation, and nerves among U.S. soccer fans from coast to coast. Watch parties in Los Angeles and the packed fan zone in New York's Times Square served as focal points for the fan reaction.
The draw confirmed that the co-hosts, the United States, will open their campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.
Brazil, who have won five times, will face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, along with Scotland and Haiti in their group. Meanwhile, France will compete against Senegal, Norway, and a playoff qualifier in their group.
The 12 groups for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, were determined during Friday's draw in Washington: Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Euro playoff D Group B: Canada, Euro playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Euro playoff C Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Euro playoff B, Tunisia Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay Group I: France, Senegal, Fifa playoff 2, Norway Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan Group K: Portugal, Fifa playoff 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
