World Cup 2026 draw LIVE
The eyes of the football world were on Washington, D.C. on Friday evening as the group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup took place. 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 were 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 confident of progression having seen the Three Lions paired with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 and will face Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
US President Donald Trump was invited to attend the ceremony at the Kennedy Centre, and received 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 back below!
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England draw in full Scotland get BrazilLive updates
Shearer reacts
Former England captain Alan Shearer has delivered his immediate reaction to the 2026 World Cup draw.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “It’s a decent draw for England, it could have been tougher, it could have been easier.
“The route, if things go as planned… which never happens, is a tough one. It’s a big if, things have to go to plan for England and other teams for the route to the final that people are talking about, but if that is the case then it is a tough draw from the quarterfinals onwards.
“But overall, I think the draw is decent, I wouldn’t go overboard and say it’s a brilliant draw.
“It’s a tough opener against Croatia, having played them so many times, but ultimately, we have to be confident that we can get through, it would be pretty bad if we didn’t get through to the knockouts, but having seen the draw, I’m absolutely confident that England will get through.”
Alan Shearer is also part of the podcast (Andrew Milligan/PA)PA ArchiveWorld Cup draw in full
England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Click here for the draw in full!
AFP via Getty ImagesWorld Cup draw live
And that concludes the 2026 World Cup draw!
Reaction to follow.
World Cup draw live
Group G is complete!
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
World Cup draw live
Group L is complete!
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
World Cup draw live
Group K is complete!
Portugal, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
World Cup draw live
Group J is complete!
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
World Cup draw live
Group F is complete!
Netherlands, Japan, European Play-Off B, Tunisia
World Cup draw live
Group D is complete!
USA, Paraguay, Australia, Play-off European C
World Cup draw live
Group H is complete!
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
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