Huge clashes, major showdowns, and dreams of surprise runs



The first step has been taken! The draw for the 2026 World Cup groups was completed in Washington, USA, and the countdown has officially begun. In the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who received the first FIFA Peace Award, the 48 teams that will travel to the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the world’s top football tournament learned their opponents ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

With U.S. sports icons such as Shaquille O’Neal and Tom Brady conducting the draw, the 48 participating teams were divided into twelve groups of four. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32 after the three matchdays. And the draw certainly did not disappoint!

Blockbuster matches like Spain – Uruguay, England – Croatia, France – Norway, and Portugal – Colombia instantly stole the spotlight, while the draw also created opportunities for several underdogs to dream of reaching the knockout stages. A typical example is Germany’s group, where—beyond the Mannschaft—Ecuador, Curaçao, and Ivory Coast will battle for qualification.

The World Cup countdown essentially began on Friday night with the draw in Washington. Below you can find the full match schedule from which the new world champion will emerge.