14 articles
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams from six different confederations. Europe sends 16. Africa sends 10. Asia sends 9. South America sends 6. North and Central America sends 6. Oceania sends 1. Every confederation on the planet has a representative in North America this summer and every one of them has at least
With 48 teams heading to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the biggest World Cup in history, ranking every single nation from best to worst is a serious undertaking. These rankings are built from a combination of factors: FIFA world ranking, Elo rating, qualifying record, recent international form, squad depth, key player availability, group
Football without fans is nothing. You can have the best players in the world, the most dramatic finish in tournament history, and the most technically perfect goal ever scored, but if the stadium is empty and the streets outside are quiet, it means half as much. The fans are the soul of the World Cup.
Portugal are in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup. Roberto Martinez’s side begin their campaign against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 17. Group K is Portugal’s most achievable group assignment in years, with the most competitive
France are in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The world’s number one ranked team and tournament favourites open their campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16. All three group stage matches play out in the northeastern United States, setting up France with a familiar and
The United States are in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. Mauricio Pochettino’s co-hosts play all three group games in American stadiums. The USMNT open their home World Cup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. This is the most important football occasion in
England are in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Thomas Tuchel’s side open their campaign against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on June 17, a fixture with enormous historical significance given Croatia’s semi-final victory over England in 2018. All three group stage matches, their potential knockout
Brazil are in Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. The five-time world champions open against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 13 in what is the most anticipated group stage game of the entire tournament. Brazil won the last World Cup staged in the United
Spain are in Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The reigning European champions and tournament favourites begin their campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 15. Spain play their final group game in Mexico, the only top-seeded nation to play
Argentina are in Group J at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The defending world champions open their title defence against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on June 16. Group J is the most favourable group assignment of any top seed in the entire draw. Argentina’s Group Stage Fixtures
Germany are in Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. Julian Nagelsmann’s rebuilt side open against Curacao, making their first ever World Cup appearance at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 14. Group E is Germany’s most manageable group assignment in years and gives Wirtz and Musiala the
Morocco are in Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland. The 2022 semi-finalists open their campaign against Brazil at MetLife Stadium on June 13 in the most anticipated group stage match in the entire draw. Under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco’s U20 side to the World Cup
Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles were eliminated in the CAF playoff round, losing to DR Congo on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat. It is the second consecutive World Cup Nigeria has missed, and the absence of one of Africa’s most passionate football nations from the
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 48 teams and 104 matches across 39 days, it is the largest World Cup in history. All kick-off times listed below are Eastern Time (ET). All group stage matches after Matchday
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