Defending champions Argentina were grouped with Algeria, Austria and debutants Jordan, while five-times winners Brazil will play Morocco - semi-finalists in 2022 - Haiti and Scotland. 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

The draw for next year’s FIFA World Cup took place at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, the USA, which is one of the co-hosts of the tournament. The ceremony drew all 48 teams in their respective groups.

Follow the important developments from the World Cup Draw event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as they happened on 5, 2025

The final draw for FIFA World Cup 2026, which will feature 48 nations, was held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on Friday. The 48 teams were put into four pots of 12 each based on their world rankings.

The group stage draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been completed. Mexico and South Africa will kick off the tournament, reminiscent of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. Colombia will face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said. Retired stars Tom Brady of the NFL, Shaquille O'Neal of the NBA and Wayne Gretzky of the NHL along with three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge were to assist in a ceremony run by former England captain Rio Ferdinand.

Brady was assisted in the drawing of the pots alongside NHL Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion Wayne Gretzky, seven-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

Chelsea lifted their 2nd FIFA Club World Cup title, adding to 2021's triumph earlier. Goals from Cole Palmer (2) and Joao Pedro secured the title for Maresca's men.