📋 World Cup 2026Groups Guide
48 nations across 12 groups of four. England top Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. France and Norway have both come through the Group of Death in Group I.
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All 12 Groups at a Glance
The 2026 World Cup draw, made in Washington D.C. on 5 December 2025, split 48 nations into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group reach the Round of 32, plus the eight best third-placed finishers — so 32 of the 48 sides advance. That extra margin for error has already produced shocks: Spain were held by debutants Cape Verde, Türkiye went out winless from Group D, and Norway booked their place behind Erling Haaland’s goals. The table below shows every group and the side we make favourites to win it.
| Group | Nations | Favourite |
|---|---|---|
| A | Mexico · South Africa · South Korea · Czechia | Mexico |
| B | Canada · Bosnia & H. · Qatar · Switzerland | Switzerland |
| C | Brazil · Morocco · Haiti · Scotland | Brazil |
| D | USA · Paraguay · Australia · Türkiye (out) | USA |
| E | Germany · Curaçao · Ivory Coast · Ecuador | Germany |
| F | Netherlands · Japan · Tunisia · Sweden | Netherlands |
| G | Belgium · Egypt · Iran · New Zealand | Belgium |
| H | Spain · Cape Verde · Saudi Arabia · Uruguay | Spain |
| I | France · Norway · Senegal · Iraq | France |
| J | Argentina · Algeria · Austria · Jordan | Argentina |
| K | Portugal · DR Congo · Uzbekistan · Colombia | Portugal |
| L ★ | England · Croatia · Ghana · Panama (out) | England |
Hosts Mexico (A1), Canada (B1) and the USA (D1) were seeded into separate groups. As of 24 June, Türkiye (Group D) and Panama (Group L) are already eliminated, while Spain, France, Norway, Germany, USA, Argentina, Croatia and Ghana are among the sides who have secured progress or sit in strong positions. Favourites are our assessment, not official seedings.
Group L — England Top Heading into Matchday 3
| Nation | Group-stage so far | Status |
|---|---|---|
| England | 4-2 v Croatia (W), 0-0 v Ghana (D) — 4 pts | Top, all but through |
| Ghana | Beat Panama, 0-0 v England (D) — 4 pts | In contention |
| Croatia | Lost 2-4 to England, 1-0 v Panama (W) — 3 pts | Still alive |
| Panama | Lost to Ghana, lost 0-1 to Croatia — 0 pts | Eliminated |
England 4-2 Croatia (17 Jun): A six-goal opener rather than the cagey game many expected. Kane scored twice and Bellingham also got on the scoresheet as England came through their hardest group fixture.
England 0-0 Ghana (23 Jun): A flat night in which Ghana defended well and England created little. The point left both sides on four points and set up a tight finish to the group.
England vs Panama (27 Jun): Panama are already out, so this is about top spot. A win guarantees England first place and the kinder side of the bracket. Read our full Panama vs England preview for the prediction and best bets.
Outright odds, fixture tips, squad analysis and our top England recommendations.
Group I — The Group of Death, Resolved
Group I was billed as the toughest section, and the two big names have come through it. France won their first two games (3-1 v Senegal, 3-0 v Iraq) and Norway booked their knockout place by beating Senegal 3-2, with Erling Haaland scoring four goals across the group stage. France and Norway meet on 26 June to settle top spot. The group has fed straight into the Golden Boot market, where Haaland sits joint-second on four.
Group H — Spain Recover from a Scare
Spain were the story of the opening round, held to a goalless draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde despite 27 shots. They answered with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia to move back to the top, with Uruguay and a resilient Cape Verde chasing the other qualifying places. Group H winner odds on Spain remain short, but for backers of Spain in the outright market the section still looks a comfortable route to the knockouts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do the groups work at the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams split into 12 groups of 4. The top two from each group qualify automatically for the Round of 32, plus the 8 best third-placed teams — so 32 of 48 nations advance.
Which group are England in at the 2026 World Cup?
England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. They beat Croatia 4-2, drew 0-0 with Ghana, and finish against Panama on 27 June. See the full England World Cup guide for fixture tips.
What is the Group of Death at the 2026 World Cup?
Group I, with France and Norway alongside Senegal and Iraq. Both France and Norway have come through it, and they meet on 26 June to decide top spot.
Can a third-placed team qualify at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes — the 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups advance to the Round of 32. This creates interesting markets on sides who might finish third in a tough group.
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
72 matches across the 12 groups. Each team plays 3 group stage matches.
Which teams are already eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?
As of 24 June, Türkiye (Group D) and Panama (Group L) have been knocked out in the group stage, both after losing their opening two matches.
