The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, held on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., marks a historic moment in soccer, featuring 48 teams across 12 groups. This tournament will be co-hosted for the first time by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The event will commence on June 11, 2026, with Mexico playing its opening match at the renowned Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Canada and the United States will follow, with games at BMO Field in Toronto and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12. Each host nation will play all their group-stage matches on home soil.
The draw produced intense matchups, particularly for France, which is placed in Group I alongside Norway, led by striker Erling Haaland, and the 2021 African champions Senegal. They will also compete against a team emerging from an intercontinental playoff involving Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname. France, despite being a top seed, will face stiff competition from the young Norwegian squad and seasoned Senegalese players.
Notable figures attended the draw, including U.S. President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. In a gesture of goodwill, Sheinbaum announced she would not attend the opening match but would gift her seat to a young indigenous girl passionate about football, highlighting a commitment to supporting underprivileged communities.
Set to conclude with the final match on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, this World Cup promises an exciting summer of football across North America, expanding the tournament’s reach and inclusivity.
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