World Cup 2026 Full Draw

The World Cup is only a few months away, and with the draw now revealed, fans are already starting to dream of World Cup glory. Here at Spreadex, we will have a range of markets for both fixed odds and spread betting so you can bet on all the action this Summer. First, let’s take a look at Friday’s draw, and the teams’ potential paths to victory. Read on below for key information, including important dates, statistics, and betting odds.

When does the World Cup start?

11^th June 2026 – the tournament kicks off with Mexico, one of the three host nations, taking on South Africa. 39 days and 104 matches later, a new World Cup champion will be crowned on 19^th July 2026.

Where is the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will take place all across North America. Venues include the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, New York’s Metlife Stadium, and BC Place in Vancouver. See below for all the venues for the 2026 World Cup.

What is the format for the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup has a new, expanded format. 48 teams now qualify for the tournament, with a new round of 32 immediately following the group stage. 42 teams have already qualified, with six still to be decided by playoffs.

The top two teams of each group will go through to the knockout phase of the competition, along with eight of the best third-placed teams from the 12 groups. The knockout phase will then proceed as normal, with the 32 teams being whittled down to just two to compete for the World Cup final on 19^th July 2026.

Who is in each group?

The 48 competing teams were sorted into four pots based on the FIFA World Rankings, with hosts USA, Mexico and Canada also placed into the highest-ranking pot. The teams still to qualify via playoffs are automatically assigned to the lowest-ranking pot. The 12 groups have one team from each of the four pots.

Who are the favourites?

Our outright market for the 2026 World Cup is live now, and many more fixed odds and spread betting markets will be released in the build-up to the summer. FIFA’s top ranked side Spain currently lead the betting odds, at 17/4 to win the nation’s second World Cup. With a talented group of young players, headlined by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the European champions will be tough to beat.

England are second among the favourites, at 11/2 to win major honours for the first time since 1966. France, Brazil, and reigning champions Argentina are all priced at 8/1, with Portugal and Germany rounding out the shortest odds at 11/1 and 12/1 respectively.

We also offer spread betting markets for the 2026 World Cup, like our tournament index. This awards 100 points to the eventual champions, and 0 to all other sides. Spain again have the highest spread here, at 13.3-19.1, with England close behind at 10.5-15.4 World Cup debutants like Curaçao, Uzbekistan, and Jordan are among the lowest spreads, at 0-0.1.

THE GROUPS:

Group A:

Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
UEFA Playoff D Winner (Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Ireland)

Mexico open their home World Cup campaign against South Africa in a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. This game was immortalised by a thunderous strike from South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored the first goal of the tournament.

Group B:

Canada
Qatar
Switzerland
UEFA Playoff A winner (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales)

Italy are yet again faced with the prospect of failing to qualify for the World Cup for a third successive time. Should they qualify via the playoff, the four-time world champions will take on Switzerland in the second group game, the side who knocked them out of the 2024 Euros.

Group C:

Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Scotland’s dramatic final qualifying game has paid just rewards, with the Tartan Army drawing footballing giants Brazil in the group stage. Scotland have never beaten the five-time world champions, but will have another chance in their final group game.

Group D:

United States
Paraguay
Australia
UEFA Playoff C winner (Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye)

Hosts USA look to have a favourable group, drawing Australia, the lowest-ranked team from pot two of the draw and familiar foes Paraguay. In fact, the USMNT will be the highest-ranked side in their group regardless of who qualifies from the final qualifying spot.

Group E:

Germany
Curaçao
Côte d'Ivoire
Ecuador

Germany will be looking to make up for a very disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign after failing to escape the group last time out. The four-time world champions have drawn Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup.

Group F:

Netherlands
Japan
Tunisia
UEFA Playoff B winner (Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine)

Netherlands and Japan both topped their group at their 2022 World Cup, and will be looking for similar results in 2026. The two sides will play in the first game of the group, in a repeat of a fixture from the 2010 World Cup, which the Netherlands won 1-0.

Group G:

Belgium
Egypt
IR Iran
New Zealand

Belgium’s “golden generation” have struggled to deliver at major tournaments and failed to escape their group at the 2022 World Cup. However, with a seemingly favourable draw this year, including the lowest-ranked of the 42 already qualified teams, New Zealand, Belgium will be hoping for a deep run this year.

Group H:

Spain
Cabo Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

European champions Spain are the highest-ranked team in the world and are the current favourites for the tournament. Their group opponents will likely be fighting for second place, though Uruguay still possess some top talent, and Saudi Arabia know a thing or two about “giant killings” having defeated eventual world champions Argentina in 2022.

Group I:

France
Senegal
Norway
FIFA Intercontinental Playoff winner 2 (Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname)

Norway hadn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1998, but after an impressive qualifying process, the Scandinavian side will fancy their chances. France will still be favourites, but neutrals will be thrilled at the prospect of a clash between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the final game of the group.

Group J:

Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan

2022 World Cup champions Argentina have a tough group, but will be hoping to top it nonetheless. Should he decide to play in the 2026 edition, Lionel Messi will be on familiar ground, having lived in the USA since his 2022 move to Inter Miami. Will he end his international career with yet another bang?

Group K:

Portugal
Uzbekistan
Colombia
FIFA Intercontinental Playoff winner 1 (DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia)

Another legend of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, has announced that 2026 will be his final World Cup. Portugal will be fancied, but Colombia will be hoping for a strong campaign after failing to escape the groups in 2022. The two sides play in the final game of the group. Can CR7 add the ultimate trophy to his cabinet?

Group L:

England
Croatia
Panama
Ghana

Finally, Group L will see England resume their quest to bring football home. Thomas Tuchel’s men will face familiar foes Croatia in their first group game, with the two sides having played close matches at the 2018 World Cup and 2020 (2021) Euros. Can England end their drought for a major trophy?

Odds for individual groups will be released closer to the competition start date.

With the groups almost all set, teams and fans alike can start to dream of World Cup glory. You can bet on all the action this summer with Spreadex, with a variety fixed odds and spread betting markets available soon. Who will be crowned 2026 World Cup champions?

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Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices quoted correct as of 4pm 8th December. Price Boosts and other markets will be added closer to event start date.