World Cup 2026 group stage format
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has 48 teams split into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group matches. The top two teams in every group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams to form the round of 32.
All World Cup 2026 groups
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia.
- Group B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
- Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye.
- Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador.
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand.
- Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
- Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
- Group K: Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Major Group A to D games
- Mexico v South Africa opens the tournament in Mexico City on 11 June.
- Mexico v Korea Republic in Guadalajara is a major Group A atmosphere game.
- Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto is Canada’s first listed group match.
- Switzerland v Canada in Vancouver could be decisive in Group B.
- Brazil v Morocco in New York New Jersey is one of the strongest opening-round fixtures.
- USA v Paraguay in Los Angeles starts the USA group campaign.
- USA v Australia in Seattle and Türkiye v USA in Los Angeles are the other USA group fixtures.
Major Group E to H games
- Germany v Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto brings together two high-profile Group E teams.
- Ecuador v Germany in New York New Jersey is a strong closing Group E fixture.
- Netherlands v Japan in Dallas is a headline Group F opener.
- Netherlands v Sweden in Houston and Tunisia v Netherlands in Kansas City make Group F tactically interesting.
- Belgium v Egypt in Seattle and Belgium v IR Iran in Los Angeles are key Group G games.
- Spain v Uruguay in Guadalajara is one of the biggest group-stage fixtures on the schedule.
- Spain v Saudi Arabia in Atlanta and Uruguay v Cabo Verde in Miami also shape Group H.
Major Group I to L games
- France v Senegal in New York New Jersey is a standout Group I opener.
- Norway v France in Boston is another premium Group I prediction fixture.
- Argentina v Algeria in Kansas City starts Group J with global attention.
- Argentina v Austria in Dallas and Jordan v Argentina in Dallas are major Group J games.
- Portugal v Colombia in Miami is the marquee Group K fixture.
- Portugal v Uzbekistan in Houston and Colombia v Congo DR in Guadalajara are also important in Group K.
- England v Croatia in Dallas is one of the headline Group L games.
- England v Ghana in Boston and Panama v England in New York New Jersey will be major predictor fixtures.
How to play the groups on FootballDream
Create a private Predictor league before 11 June, add the group-stage matches, invite friends, and let everyone predict results, exact scores, goalscorers, and Power Play picks. The group stage is ideal for viral friend leagues because there are multiple matches every day and the leaderboard changes quickly.