2026 World Cup draw: seeding for all African national teams

Yesterday in Washington, D.C., the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was held — officially setting the 12 groups for next summer’s expanded 48-team tournament.

The draw delivered a mix of familiar rivals and intriguing match-ups. Host nation Mexico national football team landed in Group A alongside South Africa national football team and South Korea national football team — plus one more team to come from the UEFA Play-off D, which will feature either Denmark national football team, Czechia national football team, Republic of Ireland national football team or North Macedonia national football team.

Other headline match-ups include Brazil national football team drawing with Morocco national football team, Scotland national football team and Haiti national football team in Group C, while Germany national football team faces Ivory Coast national football team, Ecuador national football team and Curaçao national football team in Group E.

With the groups now set, anticipation builds ahead of the tournament’s kick-off next summer across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Fans already are eyeing possible “groups of death”, early derbies, and the drama that comes with a larger, more diverse World Cup field. 

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group I

Group J

Group K

Group L