Overview
- FIFA placed 48 teams into 12 groups for the June 11–July 19 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, confirming a format that advances group winners, runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams to a new round of 32.
- Hosts drew headline openers: Mexico will kick off the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11, and the United States will start Group D versus Paraguay; Canada leads Group B with Qatar, Switzerland and a UEFA playoff winner.
- High-profile groupings include Brazil with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti (Group C); England with Croatia, Ghana and Panama (Group L); France with Senegal, Norway and a playoff winner (Group I); and Argentina with Algeria, Austria and Jordan (Group J).
- FIFA said the detailed venue assignments and kick-off times will be unveiled on Saturday in a global broadcast, following the Kennedy Center draw in Washington, D.C.
- Six World Cup berths remain to be decided in March playoffs, while Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni noted Lionel Messi has not yet confirmed his participation and the ceremony featured Gianni Infantino presenting FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.