World Cup group stage CONFIRMED after last six teams reach finals

Dan McDonald

By Dan McDonald


Published: 01/04/2026

- 06:46

Updated: 01/04/2026

- 06:55

This summer's tournament will see a record 48 nations battle it out for football's greatest prize

The World Cup group stage has finally been confirmed after the last six teams booked their place at this summer's tournament via the play-offs.

England and Scotland fans had already learned who they were facing off against in North America after both sides topped their respective qualifying groups.


The Three Lions will kick off their campaign in Dallas against Croatia, before facing off with Ghana in Boston.

Thomas Tuchel's side will then wrap up the group stage against Panama - who they thrashed 6-1 in Russia eight years ago - in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the Tartan Army will end their almost three-decade wait for World Cup action with ties against minnows Haiti and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

They will conclude the first stage of the tournament in Miami with a mouthwatering fixture against five-time champions Brazil - who they were narrowly defeated by 2-1 in their last finals appearance in 1998.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first in the history to include 48 teams - expanded from 32 - but speculation has swirled surrounding one nation's participation in recent weeks.

Iran's appearance at this summer's tournament has been in doubt since conflict erupted in the Middle East on February 28.

2026 World Cup group stage draw in full

IN FULL: Who's facing who in the group stages in 2026?

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GB NEWS

England

The Three Lions will kick off their campaign in Dallas against Croatia, before facing off with Ghana in Boston

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REUTERS
Scotland

The Tartan Army will end their almost three-decade wait for World Cup action with ties against Haiti and Morocco

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GETTY

President Donald Trump previously warned the Iranians not to travel to North America “for their own life and safety”.

But on Tuesday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said that they “will be at the World Cup” and all of Iran's “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”.

All but six teams had sealed their place at this year's tournament before this week - which has now been decided after the conclusion of the play-offs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey clinched victory in their Uefa play-off ties, meanwhile the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq confirmed their spots via the inter-confederation play offs.

Iraq

Iraq became the final team to qualify on Wednesday morning - though their neighbours Iran's participation has been under threat

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REUTERS

Italy National Team

Four-time champions Italy missed out on their third World Cup in a row on penalties

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GETTY

Four-time champions Italy missed out on their third World Cup in a row after a 10-man Azzurri side lost on penalties to Bosnia in Zenica.

Controversy erupted ahead of the tie after footage emerged of the Italians celebrating the Balkan nation's victory against Wales in Cardiff to set up the final.

Italian defender Federico Dimarco defended the scenes, insisting it was simply "an instinctive reaction" with no disrespect aimed at their Bosnian opponents.

With the 16-team expansion to the tournament, this summer's edition will feature four debutant nations.

Curacao National Team fans

Curacao, a tiny island nestled in the Caribbean, made history to become the smallest nation by population ever to qualify

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GETTY

Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde and Curacao will get their first taste of World Cup action in North America.

Curacao, a tiny island nestled in the Caribbean, made history to become the smallest nation by population ever to qualify, with just 150,000 residents - with a similar number of inhabitants to Cambridge.

Group I has been widely tipped as this year's so-called "Group of Death" - a nickname handed to the trickiest group to get out of at this year's tournament.

It features two-time champions France, the now-contested African Cup of Nations champions Senegal, Erling Haaland's Norway and Iraq - the final team to qualify following their victory against Bolivia on Wednesday morning.