One hundred eighty eight days out from one of the most anticipated World Cups in memory, we have our first glimpse at how the tournament might shape up. Friday’s 2026 World Cup Draw was perhaps FIFA’s most bombastic yet, a spectacle at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. featuring the likes of Kevin Hart, Nicole Scherzinger, and President Donald J. Trump.
The president was presented with the very first FIFA Peace Prize, awarded to him for having "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace." FIFA president Gianni Infantino also took an on-stage selfie with Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum during a bizarre show in which, 90 minutes in, the actual draw still had not begun.
When it finally did get going, sports legends Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Aaron Judge and Wayne Gretzky were tasked with selecting the teams.
The draw revealed some hugely enticing matchups. There was good news for Team USA, bad news for France, and excellent news for anyone who enjoys an underdog story. Here is Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup Draw.
Expanding to 48 Teams Might Produce Some Blowouts
With the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, there were a few unfamiliar names in Friday’s draw. Cabo Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan and even Curacao—an island nation with a population roughly equivalent to that of Charleson, South Carolina—will make their debuts in the competition next year.
It’s a proud moment for those countries, but it goes both ways. More comparatively weak teams will likely mean more blowout victories for some of the tournament’s more established names early on. Fans of Cabo Verde and Curacao may have to watch through their fingers when their teams take on Spain and Germany, respectively.
More teams also, of course, means more matches—104 in total, and one more game for each team that makes the final. That could prove an advantage for younger, deeper squads such as Spain.
Team USA Catches a Break
If Team USA manager Mauricio Pochettino was looking to the heavens on Friday morning and asking for a favorable draw, then it would appear his prayers have been answered. Quite simply, it could not have gone much better.
In Australia and Paraguay, Team USA finds itself up against two teams it has defeated in the last two months. With players like Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón and Sunderland defender Omar Alderete, Paraguay may prove the more difficult test. But, realistically, the USMNT will like its chances against both nations.
Team USA will be hoping its forward line can find some better form than it showed four years ago in Qatar. The Stars and Stripes mustered just two goals in three group stage games against Iran, England and Wales in 2022, before a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the round of 16. Christian Pulisic and relative newcomers Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun will be tasked with taking their impressive club form into the tournament, but they will need help from their backline—the USMNT has kept just two clean sheets in its last 10 games.
With more playoffs still to conclude in March, the final spot will be decided between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo. Turkey would likely provide the stiffest test—Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler is the team’s star—but don’t write off Slovakia. That said, there is nothing in Group D that should scare Pochettino’s players too much.
France, Senegal and Norway Are in The Group of Death
Group I practically guarantees drama. Leading the way is two-time winner France, which reached the final in 2022 and has, on paper, the strongest squad in the tournament, led by superstar striker Kylian Mbappé.
Senegal breezed into the tournament, going unbeaten in qualifying. The West African nation also knows what it takes to defeat France—they beat Les Bleus in the first game of the 2002 World Cup. Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s current head coach, played in that game.
In Erling Haaland, Norway has a striker who has already scored 33 goals in 24 games this season. The Manchester City man will be backed up by the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa.
One of Iraq, Bolivia and Suriname will be the unfortunate nation to complete the group.
Colombia is Your Potential Cinderella Team
Norway and Senegal can count themselves as fairly unlucky. Both teams were tipped as potential dark horses, but now find themselves in the Group of Death.
Taking their place as a possible Cinderella team is Colombia. Los Cafeteros did not qualify in 2022 but are back following an appearance in this year’s Copa America final and having scored a national record number of goals in qualifying.
Winger Luis Diaz has been reborn after a move to Bayern Munich in the summer and could have the skills to send Colombia even further than it managed in 2014, when it reached its first quarterfinal.
Must-watch group stage matches
Mexico vs South Africa: It’s the first game of the 2026 World Cup, where are you if you’re not watching this?!
France vs Senegal: A repeat of the 2002 World Cup opener, when Senegal shocked the world by beating then-defending champs France 1-0.
Portugal vs Colombia: Colombia may be a dark horse, but will face a stern test against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
England vs Croatia: A repeat of the 2018 semifinal, in which Croatia broke English hearts.
Spain vs Uruguay: Each team’s final game in Group H. This could be huge if either still needs points by then.