World Cup 2026 draw in full: England to face Croatia and Ghana in group stage as Scotland face Brazil

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·5 dicembre 2025

World Cup 2026 draw in full: England to face Croatia and Ghana in group stage as Scotland face Brazil

Three Lions to face Croatia in their first game on June 17

England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

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An expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams, will take place across three host countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, 16 cities and five weeks, as 48 teams compete in 104 matches.

In a draw which featured US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on stage, FIFA president Gianni Infantino acting as master of ceremonies of a star-studded event.

The Three Lions will face Croatia in their first game, which is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, then Ghana. Panama are their final Group L game opponents.

Croatia are among the toughest opponents England could have expected and will be their opening match in Toronto or Dallas on June 17, 2026. Ghana and England will face off on June 23, and England will round off their group against Panama on June 23.

If England win the group, they will face a third-place team in Atlanta in the round of 32 on July 1.

World Cup group stage draw in full

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The first game of the tournament will see Mexico face South Africa on June 11, with USA facing Paraguay the following day in their first game.

The group of death is Group I, which features France, Norway, Senegal and a play-off winner. Though Scotland will have also been left smarting after being drawn alongside Brazil, Morroco and Haiti in Group C.

Scotland's opening game will be against Haiti on June 13.

The Republic of Ireland will be in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and South Africa if they can come through the March play-offs.

Wales or Northern Ireland will head to Group B if they emerge victorious in the play-offs, alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

Wales or Northern Ireland will open against co-hosts Canada in Toronto on June 12 if they can make it. Wales face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off semi, while Michael O'Neill's men are away to Italy.

The Republic would play South Korea first up on June 11 if they can come through a play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic and then beat Denmark or North Macedonia.