World Cup 2026: Fixtures, Venues, and Groups After Play-Off Drama

• UEFA play-offs settled: Czech Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey and Sweden qualify; Italy miss out again.
• England land Croatia, Ghana and Panama; Scotland face Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
• 11 June–19 July across Mexico, Canada and USA; Azteca opener, MetLife Stadium final.

Right then, the World Cup picture for 2026 is finally clear. With the play-offs wrapped, we’ve got a properly juicy draw and a roadmap that stretches from Mexico City to New Jersey. The big headline? Czech Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey and Sweden are in, while four-time champions Italy are out—another major miss for the Azzurri.

From a British lens, it’s all eyes on England in Group L, opening against Croatia before meetings with Ghana and Panama. It’s not a free pass, but if Southgate’s side hit their stride, they should control the group. Scotland have the glamour route in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti—two serious tests and zero room for off days. And if you’re sizing up the runners and riders already, our guide to the best football betting sites is a handy first port of call.

How the Draw Shapes the Road to July

Groups at a glance: A (Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic), B (Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland), C (Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland), D (United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey), E (Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador), F (Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia), G (Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand), H (Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay), I (France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway), J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan), K (Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia), L (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama).

This is the first 48-team World Cup: 12 groups of four, the top two through, plus the eight best third-placed sides to complete a round of 32. Expect chaos and opportunity—there’s plenty of room for a sharp, organised side to spring a shock on a giant.

Where and When: The Big Stage

The curtain-raiser is set for Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, drenched in World Cup history, with Mexico and Canada hosting 13 games each and the United States staging 78. From the quarter-finals onwards, every knockout match is on US soil, with the showpiece finale at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July—a sprawling summer of football that will test depth, discipline and logistics across a vast map.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Navigate the travel, manage the minutes, and the path is there. England should fancy their chances; Scotland will have to be brave. Either way, buckle up—this one’s going to be box office.

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