FIFA World Cup 2026 draw – updates

That is it from our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw.

Forty-two teams know which group they will be in, six more must still qualify from all corners of the globe.

We’ll continue to bring you all the build-up to the tournament over the coming months, including those crucial qualification spots still to be sealed.

In the meantime, stick with us for the best of the domestic club action from around the world, as well as the major events in all sports.

For now, though – from me, Kevin Hand, Hafsa Adil and Ali Harb – it’s goodbye.

You can read all about the groups, the biggest matches, the political drama and groups of death in our detailed report here.

Uzbekistan will be participating in the World Cup for the first time, giving their star striker Eldor Shomurodov a chance to shine at the brightest stage.

Shomurodov spent years in Italy, where he bounced between loans to midtable teams and a rotational role in his then-parent club Roma.

But he has taken the Turkish league by a storm since moving to Istanbul Basaksehir over the summer. With 10 goals in 14 matches, he is the second highest goalscorer in the league, which boasts the likes of Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi.

We published a poll earlier for predictions about the World Cup Golden Boot winner, featuring Kane, Mbappe, Messi and Yamal. With Shomurodov in this form, perhaps we should have included him.

Our live coverage on Saturday comes from Spain’s La Liga, as defending champions and table toppers Barcelona travel to Real Betis.

Barca have the chance to extend their lead to four points at the top of the La Liga table, with second-placed Real Madrid not playing Celta Vigo until Sunday.

It has been a mixed period of results for the Catalan giants, however, and Betis are a side riding the crest of last season’s wave, which saw them reach the Europa Conference final.

Click here for our look at what could be the latest stern test for Hansi Flick’s Barca.

Here is how you voted in our poll on who you think will win the World Cup Golden Boot based on the four favourites:

Who will win the Golden Boot at the FIFA 2026 World Cup? Vote below 👇

⚽ LIVE coverage: https://t.co/oVOjBuNDws | #FIFAWorldCup

— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) December 5, 2025

Here is how you voted in our poll on who you think will win the World Cup based on the four favourites:

Who will win the FIFA 2026 World Cup? Vote below 👇

⚽ LIVE coverage: https://t.co/oVOjBuNDws | #FIFAWorldCup

— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) December 5, 2025

In one of the biggest upsets of World Cup opening games, Senegal beat then-reigning champions France in 2002.

Senegal’s forward El Hadji Diouf dazzled in that tournament, helping his country reach the quarterfinals as France crashed out in the group stage.

France will get a chance to avenge that famous loss in their opening game at the 2026 World Cup. Undoubtedly, Senegal, who are no less underdogs against star-studded France than they were in 2002, will look for another memorable win.

Group G features two football powerhouses from the Middle East and North Africa region – Iran and Egypt.

The Pharaohs will meet Team Melli in the final game of the group – which also includes Belgium and New Zealand – when qualification could be on the line.

The first match will be played in Mexico City on June 11 between South Africa and co-hosts Mexico.

Qatar were drawn to a difficult group alongside Canada, the hosts, and Switzerland – who performed well at the Euro last year and dominated their qualifying group.

The fourth spot on the group go to the winners of Playoff A, which includes four-time champions Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia.

The stage is set. Who triumphs? 🏆@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/21qBVC6KlE

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2025

The US band The Village People take to the stage to close the draw ceremony.

Debutant Jordan were drawn into J alongside Argentina, Austria and Algeria.

Al Nashama will meet Algeria in their second match in the group stage’s only all-Arab game.

A record of seven Arab teams have qualified to the World Cup, and the number could rise if Iraq beat the winner of Bolivia vs Suriname in their playoff match.

• Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa plus one of Denmark, Macedonia, Czechia or Ireland
• Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar plus one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
• Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay plus one of Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo
• Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia plus one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania
• Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
• Group I: France, Senegal, Norway plus one of Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname
• Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan plus one of DRC, Jamaica or New Caledonia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

They join Belgium, Egypt and Iran.

That completes the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

We’ve got three potential groups of death shaping up thus far.

Group A has three closely matched teams in Mexico, South Africa and South Korea, and will be joined by a placeholder

Over in Group G, Belgium, Egypt and Iran are placed together alongside New Zealand.

The last group, L, has England, Croatia, Panama and Ghana.

The join England, Croatia and Panama.

DRC, Jamaica or New Caledonia go into that group.