FIFA World Cup 2026: Overview of Groups, Playoff Qualifiers, and Their Group Stage Matches
Nearly all 48 participants for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been determined. This article details which teams secured their spots through the playoffs and who their opponents will be in the group stage.
The European playoffs for the final tickets have concluded, with only the intercontinental playoffs remaining. Consequently, 46 of the total 48 World Cup participants for the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, are now known.
But which nations successfully navigated the playoffs, and who will they face in the World Cup group stage?
FIFA World Cup 2026: Playoff Qualifiers and Their Group Stage Opponents
While most World Cup participants secured their places through the standard qualification process, several nations had to compete in playoffs. In Europe, 16 teams initially entered the playoff stage, with four ultimately clinching their spots.
An additional two World Cup berths will be decided via the intercontinental playoffs. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, Iraq, and Bolivia are still in contention, with the decisive matches taking place on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
The draw for the twelve four-team groups was completed before the playoffs concluded, meaning the group stage opponents for the six playoff-qualified teams are already known.
The Czech Republic will join Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. Bosnia and Herzegovina are placed in Group B with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. Turkey has been drawn into Group D, facing the USA, Paraguay, and Australia. Sweden will compete in Group F against the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
The winner of Intercontinental Playoff B (either Iraq or Bolivia) will be allocated to Group I, joining France, Senegal, and Norway. Meanwhile, the victor of Intercontinental Playoff A (DR Congo or Jamaica) will enter Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Twelve Groups
Group A:
| Mexico |
| South Africa |
| South Korea |
| Czech Republic |
Group B:
| Canada |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Qatar |
| Switzerland |
Group C:
| Brazil |
| Morocco |
| Haiti |
| Scotland |
Group D:
| USA |
| Paraguay |
| Australia |
| Turkey |
Group E:
| Germany |
| Curaçao |
| Ivory Coast |
| Ecuador |
Group F:
| Netherlands |
| Japan |
| Sweden |
| Tunisia |
Group G:
| Belgium |
| Egypt |
| Iran |
| New Zealand |
Group H:
| Spain |
| Cape Verde |
| Saudi Arabia |
| Uruguay |
Group I:
| France |
| Senegal |
| Iraq/Bolivia |
| Norway |
Group J:
| Argentina |
| Algeria |
| Austria |
| Jordan |
Group K:
| Portugal |
| DR Congo/Jamaica |
| Uzbekistan |
| Colombia |
Group L:
| England |
| Croatia |
| Ghana |
| Panama |
FIFA World Cup 2026: Broadcast Information
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 48 participating nations for the first time, will have partial coverage available on free-to-air television. As customary, ARD and ZDF will broadcast selected matches of the tournament.
Through a sublicense agreement, ARD and ZDF are set to show a total of 60 games. This coverage will include all matches involving the German national team, the opening match, both semifinals, and the final.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Key Information
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Hosts: USA, Mexico, Canada
- Defending Champion: Argentina
- Opening Match: June 11, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026
- Host Cities: 16
- Broadcast: ARD, ZDF (selected matches)
FIFA World Cup 2026: Playoff Results
UEFA Path A:
| Semifinal | Wales 2:4 p.s.o. Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Semifinal | Italy 2:0 Northern Ireland |
| Final | Bosnia and Herzegovina 4:1 p.s.o. Italy |
UEFA Path B:
| Semifinal | Ukraine 1:3 Sweden |
| Semifinal | Poland 2:1 Albania |
| Final | Sweden 3:2 Poland |
UEFA Path C:
| Semifinal | Slovakia 3:4 Kosovo |
| Semifinal | Turkey 1:0 Romania |
| Final | Kosovo 0:1 Turkey |
UEFA Path D:
| Semifinal | Czech Republic 4:3 p.s.o. Ireland |
| Semifinal | Denmark 4:0 North Macedonia |
| Final | Czech Republic 3:1 p.s.o. Denmark |
Intercontinental Playoffs Path A:
| Qualification for Final | New Caledonia 0:1 Jamaica |
| Final | DR Congo vs. Jamaica |
Intercontinental Playoffs Path B:
| Qualification for Final | Bolivia 2:1 Suriname |
| Final | Iraq vs. Bolivia |
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