Football fans across the world are bracing for blockbuster group-stage clashes after FIFA conducted the official draw for the 2026 World Cup, with France and Norway—led by superstars Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland—landing in the same group.
The draw, held in the United States, confirmed all 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament, marking the first time the World Cup will feature this new format. Beyond the headline Haaland–Mbappé meeting, the draw produced several heavyweight match-ups and fascinating storylines for Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Mbappé vs Haaland: Global Superstars Collide in Group I
Group I immediately became the centre of global attention, with France, Senegal, Norway and the Intercontinental Playoff winner (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname) set to battle for two automatic knockout spots.
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France, finalists in 2022, remain one of the tournament favourites with Mbappé at the peak of his powers.
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Norway enters with Haaland, arguably the world’s most lethal striker, making his long-awaited World Cup debut.
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Senegal, Africa’s 2022 champions, add further unpredictability and quality to the group.
The clash between Mbappé and Haaland—who dominate European football and global marketing—is expected to be one of the tournament’s biggest early-round attractions.
England, Argentina, Portugal and Brazil Handed Manageable Paths
Several traditional powers received favourable draws:
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England headline Group L, alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana.
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Argentina, defending champions, look comfortable in Group J with Austria, Algeria and Jordan.
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Portugal in Group K face Colombia, Uzbekistan and an intercontinental playoff team.
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Brazil share Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti—an intriguing mix but manageable for the Seleção.
Germany, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands also drew competitive but balanced groups as the race to the new 32-team knockout stage begins.
African Teams Face Tough but Navigable Groups
Africa will be represented by several teams in challenging but winnable groups:
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South Africa land in Group A with Mexico, South Korea and a UEFA playoff side.
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Morocco, Africa’s standout performers in 2022, clash with Brazil in Group C.
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Ivory Coast meet Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao in Group E.
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Egypt battle Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in Group G.
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Ghana face England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.
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Senegal enter the spotlight-heavy Group I with France and Norway.
Full 2026 World Cup Group Draw
GROUP A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Playoff (Denmark/N. Macedonia/Czech/Ireland)
GROUP B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff (Italy/N. Ireland/Wales/Bosnia)
GROUP C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
GROUP D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, UEFA Playoff (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
GROUP E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
GROUP F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)
GROUP G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
GROUP H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
GROUP I: France, Senegal, Norway, Intercontinental Playoff (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname)
GROUP J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
GROUP K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Playoff (Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia)
GROUP L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana