New Delhi: The draw for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup was held on Friday at the Kennedy Centre setting up exciting group-stage clashes and rekindling some classic rivalries. Defending champions Argentina along with top teams Spain and England have received favorable draws for the 2026 World Cup during a glamorous ceremony on Friday December 5.

The events highlight was US President Donald Trump receiving an inaugural peace award. The official countdown for the tournament which will feature 48 teams began with the showcase in Washington D.C.
Defending champion Argentina will open their camapign against Algeria
Lionel Messi-led Argentina will aim to defend their title. They will open their campaign against Algeria followed by matches against Australia and newcomers Jordan in Group J. European side Spain considered one of the favourites will begin against debutants Cape Verde before facing Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw
Cristiano Ronaldos Portugal will face Uzbekistan Colombia and a European playoff winner. Co-hosts United States have been placed in Group D alongside Paraguay Australia and the winner of the European playoff.

Co-host Mexico has been placd in Group A with South Korea South Africa and the winner of UEFA Playoff D. Mexico will kick off their campaign at the newly renovated Estadio Azteca closed since May 2024 for upgrades. Interestingly El Tri will face South Africa again recalling their 1-1 draw in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.

Canada which will host matches in Vancouver and Toronto has been placed in Group B alongside Switzerland Qatar and a UEFA playoff winner. If Italy qualifies through the playoffs they would join the group and face Canada in their opening match.

Five-time champion Brazil is placed in Group C alongside Morocco Scotland and Haiti.

Germany in Group E will take on Ivory Coast Ecuador and Curacao while he Netherlands has been placed in Group F alongside Japan and Tunisia. Under the leadersip of Thomas Tuchel England have been placed into a relatively easier group facing Croatia Ghana and Panama in Group L.

Former champions Spain and Uruguay are placed in Group H considered one of the toughest groups on paper. While two-time champions France find themselves in a tough Group I where they will take on Senegal and Norway. France and Senegal will face off in their opening match revisiting their memorable 2002 World Cup encounter in which Senegal stunned the defending champions with a 1-0 win.

Group G includes Belgium alongside Iran Egypt and New Zealand. Irans inclusion poses a challenge due to U.S. travel restrictions as the Group G matches are scheduled in Seattle and Inglewood.

Morocco who reached the semifinals in 2022 is scheduled to star their campaign against Brazil in one of the group stages most high-profile matches. France and Germany seeded in separate groups could face each other as early as the round of 16 setting up a potential early rematch of their historic 1982 semifinal.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to start from June 11 to July 19
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to start from June 11 to July 19 across three countries the United States Mexico and Canada. The draw event attracted widespread attention with US President Donald Trump Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in attendance. Sports icons like Tom Brady Wayne Gretzky and Shaquille ONeal were part of the ceremony to help conduct the draw.
Six spots in the tournament are still vacant
Six spots in the tournament are still vacant and will be determined through the March playoffs. Due to logistical complexities the exact venues for these matches have not yet been finalized.

FIFA is set to unveil the full match schedule on Saturday confirming venues and times for the largest World Cup in history.