All 12 groups of the 2026 World Cup

The draw took place on 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC. Forty-eight teams sorted into twelve groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams progress to a new round of 32. Three of the 48 slots remain "playoff winner" pending the March 2026 intercontinental playoffs.

Group A

• Mexico
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Scotland

Favourite: Mexico

Opener: Mexico vs South Africa — Estadio Azteca, 11 Jun

Nigerian angle: South Africa open the tournament against Mexico. Bafana are the Africa-region story in Group A.

Group B

• Canada
• Iran
• Tunisia
• Ecuador

Favourite: Ecuador

Opener: Canada vs Iran — BMO Field, 12 Jun

Nigerian angle: Tunisia are a North African side Nigerian bettors know well from AFCON.

Group C

• USA
• Australia
• Norway
• Playoff winner

Favourite: USA

Opener: USA vs Norway — Lumen Field, 13 Jun

Nigerian angle: Home crowd advantage for USA. Norway without Haaland after qualifying elimination is a changed side.

Group D

• Argentina
• Egypt
• Ivory Coast
• Denmark

Favourite: Argentina

Opener: Argentina vs Ivory Coast — AT&T Stadium, 13 Jun

Nigerian angle: Ivory Coast and Egypt both in. This is the group of African interest. Ivory Coast beat Nigeria in the 2023 AFCON final.

Group E

• Brazil
• Japan
• Senegal
• Morocco

Favourite: Brazil

Opener: Brazil vs Japan — Hard Rock Stadium, 14 Jun

Nigerian angle: Senegal and Morocco both in. Morocco were the 2022 semi-finalists. Strongest African group by a distance.

Group F

• France
• Uruguay
• Panama
• Algeria

Favourite: France

Opener: France vs Algeria — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 15 Jun

Nigerian angle: Algeria are a technical North African side. Expect low-scoring, tactical fixtures.

Group G

• Spain
• Serbia
• Qatar
• Ghana

Favourite: Spain

Opener: Spain vs Serbia — SoFi Stadium, 15 Jun

Nigerian angle: Ghana. The West African rivals. Nigerian fans will watch every Black Stars match with mixed feelings.

Group H

• Germany
• Colombia
• Playoff winner
• Cape Verde

Favourite: Germany

Opener: Germany vs Colombia — Lincoln Financial Field, 16 Jun

Nigerian angle: Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup. The Blue Sharks are a feel-good African story.

Group I

• Portugal
• South Korea
• Paraguay
• Jordan

Favourite: Portugal

Opener: Portugal vs South Korea — Levi's Stadium, 16 Jun

Nigerian angle: No African side. Watch for value on Paraguay as the South American second.

Group J

• England
• Switzerland
• Uzbekistan
• Playoff winner

Favourite: England

Opener: England vs Switzerland — Arrowhead Stadium, 17 Jun

Nigerian angle: Uzbekistan's first World Cup. England the heavy favourite but historically underwhelm at short prices.

Group K

• Netherlands
• USA playoff winner (Oceania)
• Curacao
• Austria

Favourite: Netherlands

Opener: Netherlands vs Austria — NRG Stadium, 18 Jun

Nigerian angle: Curacao's first World Cup. The Caribbean connection.

Group L

• Belgium
• Peru
• Haiti
• New Zealand

Favourite: Belgium

Opener: Belgium vs Peru — MetLife Stadium, 18 Jun

Nigerian angle: Haiti's first World Cup since 1974. New Zealand's return after 16 years.