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The United States will host the first edition of the expanded Men's FIFA World Cup next year. The tournament has been expanded to 48 teams, with USA, Canada and Mexico to jointly host the tournament. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will go head to head in the group stage after France and Norway were drawn in the game group.

A star studded ceremony in Washington DC unveiled the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada. For the first time, 48 teams will participate in the global football carnival which will kick off on June 11.

The 48 teams have been divided into groups of 12, with the number of matches rising from 64 to a massive 104. A round of 32 is introduced adding more knockout drama to an already exhilarating tournament. The 39-day tournament will culminate with the Final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Following the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have emerged as the two biggest stars in world football. Their national teams, France and Norway, will meet early in the group stage after being drawn together in Group I. Senegal, one of Africa's strongest sides, adds further weight to the group. With one among Ukraine, Sweden or Poland to join, it is already the group of death at this World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Groups

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European playoff winner D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland);

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European playoff winner A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina);

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti;

Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, European playoff winner C (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo);

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador;

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania);

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand;

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde;

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA playoff Winner (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq);

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan;

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA playoff Winner (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo);

Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Format

The last edition in Qatar hosted 32 teams, with a 16 more added for the upcoming tournament. 12 groups of 4 teams have been drawn, with two from each group making it to the Round of 32. That will be followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round. Additionally, 8 best placed 3rd placed teams will also advance. It is a format which has been used in the UEFA Euro for the past few editions, albeit with fewer teams in action.