World Cup 2026 draw LIVE: England and Scotland learn group stage opponents

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·5 Desember 2025

World Cup 2026 draw LIVE: England and Scotland learn group stage opponents

Three Lions to find first opponents and route to the final

LIVE: World Cup 2026 draw

Video OneFootball

The eyes of the football world are on Washington, D.C. this evening as the group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup is held. For the first time, 48 nations will be competing for the biggest prize in the sport as an expanded tournament takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The biggest show in sport has never been bigger.

Sporting heroes of American sports will be on hand to draw balls - of which there are many - from pots as 12 groups - A to L - are made up of four nations. England will head across the pond as one of the tournament favourites, and Thomas Tuchel will be in attendance today as work begins in earnest ahead of the summer. Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998.

US President Donald Trump has been invited to attend the ceremony at the Kennedy Centre, and is expected to receive the newly created ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ from governing body president Gianni Infantino. Tomorrow will see the dates, times and venues of all 104 matches be confirmed. Follow the 2026 World Cup draw live below!