Africa’s representatives discovered their group-stage opponents on Friday as the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place in Washington, D.C., Afrosport reports.
Several of the continent’s teams face demanding tests as the road to the global tournament in North America begins to take shape.
The draw confirmed that a record 48 nations will take part in the tournament, split into 12 groups of four. While 42 teams are already confirmed for the finals, the final six places will be decided through play-offs in March.
The three host nations were placed in their respective groups during the ceremony. The United States were placed in Group D, Canada went into Group B, while Mexico were drawn in Group A.
South Africa were drawn into Group A alongside hosts Mexico, South Korea and the winner of UEFA Play-off D. Ivory Coast will compete in Group E with Germany, Ecuador and debutants Curacao.
Egypt were placed in Group G with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand, while Senegal are set for a tough Group I clash with France, Norway and the FIFA Play-off 2 winner.
Reigning world champions Argentina were drawn into Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Tunisia will compete in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and the UEFA Play-off B winner. Cape Verde were placed in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
England were drawn into Group L, where they will take on Croatia, Panama and Ghana, giving another African side a high-profile group-stage test. Morocco were placed in Group C with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in another challenging section.
Meanwhile, Canada got Qatar, Switzerland and UEFA Play-off A winner in Group B. The United States were drawn in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of UEFA Play-off C.
Portugal, on the other hand, will face Uzbekistan, Colombia and FIFA Play-off 1 winner in Group K.
The stage is set. Who triumphs? 🏆@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/21qBVC6KlE
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2025
The 2026 World Cup will begin on 11 June and will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final scheduled for 19 July in New Jersey.
Full 2026 World Cup draw — Group A to L
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, UEFA Play-off A
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Play-off B
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Play-off 2
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, FIFA Play-off 1
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
