Group stage · June 11–27, 2026
12 groups, 48 teams, 72 matches across 16 stadiums in three countries. The first World Cup ever played in this format — every group has something at stake from matchday one.
Every World Cup from 1998 through 2022 used the same format: 32 teams in 8 groups. For 2026, FIFA expanded the field to 48 teams in 12 groups — Groups A through L — making this the most populated World Cup in history.
The structure inside each group remains familiar: four teams, three matchdays, round-robin format. What changes is the breadth — the group stage alone produces 72 matches between June 11 and June 27, compared to 48 in Qatar 2022.
The wider format also means more than half the tournament teams advance. The top two from each group qualify automatically (24 teams), and the eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups fill the remaining spots in the Round of 32.
Spain · Uruguay · Saudi Arabia · Cape Verde
Two World Cup-winning nations sharing a group — and both capable of making a deep run.
France · Senegal · Norway · Iraq
2018 champion France faces 2022 quarterfinalist Senegal and Erling Haaland's Norway.
Portugal · Colombia · Uzbekistan · DR Congo
Ronaldo vs Díaz and Rodríguez in one of the tournament's marquee first-round matchups.
Argentina · Algeria · Austria · Jordan
Defending champions Argentina in what looks like a navigable group on paper.
Click any team to see its full fixture list, group context and tournament history.
Three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss. With 48 teams and an expanded Round of 32, more teams have a realistic path through.
The first- and second-place teams in all 12 groups advance to the Round of 32 without having to worry about their third-place record. 24 teams qualify this way.
All 12 third-place finishers are ranked against each other. The eight with the best results — judged on points, goal difference, goals scored and fair play — reach the knockout stage.
Teams finishing fourth in their group are eliminated after the group stage, regardless of their record. A team can finish fourth with three points if the group is exceptionally competitive.
There are 12 groups (A through L), each containing four teams. This is a significant increase from the 8 groups used in every World Cup from 1998 through 2022, reflecting the expansion from 32 to 48 teams.
Each team plays the other three teams in its group once over three matchdays. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026, producing 72 matches. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32; the best eight third-place teams also qualify.
Defending champion Argentina is in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Argentina will be one of the favorites to advance from a manageable-looking group.
The United States is in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. As a host nation, the US has automatic qualification and begins its tournament in the group stage.
Brazil is in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. Brazil enters as one of the tournament favorites after Morocco's historic semifinal run at Qatar 2022.
Portugal is in Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo. Group K is considered one of the most competitive groups, with both Portugal and Colombia capable of deep tournament runs.
England is in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. England and Croatia have a notable recent history from Euro 2020 and the 2018 World Cup.
Host nation Mexico opens the tournament in Group A against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11 — the first match of the 2026 World Cup. Mexico also faces South Korea and Czechia in the group stage.
Group H (Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde) and Group K (Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo) are widely considered the toughest draws, with multiple teams capable of advancing from each.