The Wait is Over: 2026 World Cup Draw Results

History has been made. The draw for the 2026 World Cup—the biggest tournament in football history—took place today at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with President Donald Trump in attendance for this momentous occasion. England now knows their path through the group stage as the Three Lions prepare for their journey across North America.

For the first time, 48 teams will compete with matches spanning three nations – This tournament promises to be unlike anything we’ve seen before. The anticipation has been building for months, and now fans can finally start planning their ultimate World Cup experience.

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England’s Group Stage Opponents

England have been drawn in Group L and will face:

  • CROATIA
  • GHANA
  • PANAMA

The Three Lions will kick off their campaign against Croatia, before facing Ghana. Their final group stage match will see them take on Panama.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will now be analyzing these opponents as he prepares his squad for the challenge ahead. As we know, the World Cup never fails to deliver surprises, and the expanded format means England will need to finish in the top two to guarantee their place in the Round of 32.

Full 2026 World Cup Draw

Here’s how all 48 teams have been divided across the 12 groups:

Group A:

  • MEXICO
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • KOREA REPUBLIC
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF D

Group B:

  • CANADA
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF A
  • QATAR
  • SWITZERLAND

Group C:

  • BRAZIL
  • MOROCCO
  • HAITI
  • SCOTLAND

Group D:

  • USA
  • PARAGUAY
  • AUSTRALIA
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF C

Group E:

  • GERMANY
  • CURACAO
  • COTE D’IVOIRE
  • ECUADOR

Group F:

  • NETHERLANDS
  • JAPAN
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF B
  • TUNISIA

Group G:

  • BELGIUM
  • EGYPT
  • IR IRAN
  • NEW ZEALAND

Group H:

  • SPAIN
  • CABO VERDE
  • SAUDI ARABIA
  • URUGUAY

Group I:

  • FRANCE
  • SENEGAL
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF 2
  • NORWAY

Group J:

  • ARGENTINA
  • ALGERIA
  • AUSTRIA
  • JORDAN

Group K:

  • PORTUGAL
  • WINNER OF PLAY-OFF 1
  • UZBEKISTAN
  • COLUMBIA

Group L:

  • ENGLAND
  • CROATIA
  • GHANA
  • PANAMA

The tournament will run from June 11th to July 19th, 2026, with 104 matches played across 39 days—making it the longest World Cup in history.

North America Awaits: Host Cities TO BE Revealed

While we now know who England will face, there’s still one more piece of the puzzle to fall into place. The specific host cities and stadiums for each match will be announced tomorrow (Saturday 6th December) at 5pm UK time.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 16 cities across the three nations preparing to welcome the world. From the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey to the state-of-the-art venues in Toronto and Mexico City, this tournament will showcase North America’s passion for football on an unprecedented scale.

The host cities include:

  • USA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
  • Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
  • Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey

Once the match schedule is confirmed tomorrow, England fans will know exactly where they need to be for each of the Three Lions’ group stage fixtures—and can start planning the trip of a lifetime.

Secure Your Place in North America with Sportsworld

As the Official England Travel Partner for the 2026 World Cup, Sportsworld is ready to help you follow the Three Lions across North America. With 45 years of World Cup experience and our 12th consecutive tournament, we know exactly what England fans need to make this journey unforgettable.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Our Official England Travel Packages will be released next week with a range of options including:

  • Accommodation in host cities
  • Matchday transfers to and from stadiums
  • Internal travel between host cities
  • Flights on selected packages
  • Airport transfers on flight inclusive packages
  • ‘Big Bar’ pre-match experiences
  • Access to England House—your official home throughout the tournament
  • Commemorative gift
  • 24/7 on-ground support
  • Onsite Sportsworld representatives
  • Expert support from our dedicated team

Whether you want to follow England for one group stage match, two matches, all three group games, or secure your place for the knockout rounds and Final, Sportsworld’s packages cover every stage of the tournament.

Register now at sportsworld.co.uk/world-cup/england-world-cup to be the first to hear when packages are released.

Thousands of England fans have already registered and availability is limited—register now to ensure you get your spot and be part of history as the Three Lions chase glory in North America.

The journey to the 2026 World Cup starts now. Register today and let Sportsworld take care of everything while you focus on cheering on England.

It’s coming home… to North America. See you there!