Overview
- All group allocations were announced, producing marquee matchups such as Spain vs Uruguay, France vs Senegal, and Argentina vs Algeria, with England drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
- The United States landed in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and a UEFA play-off winner, while co-hosts Mexico and Canada were also seeded into fixed group slots.
- FIFA confirmed Mexico vs South Africa will open at Estadio Azteca on June 11 and the final will be at MetLife Stadium on July 19, with the full match schedule of venues and kickoff times due Saturday.
- Six berths remain undecided and will be filled by March 2026 playoffs, including four UEFA play-off winners and two intercontinental play-off winners.
- The Kennedy Center ceremony featured celebrity hosts and athletes, and President Donald Trump accepted FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize as Iran attended after earlier threatening to boycott over visa issues.