Washington, Dec 6 (NationPress) The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took place on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center, marking a pivotal moment for the inaugural 48-team edition of the world's premier football tournament.

With new group formats and more matches than ever before across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the ceremony featured several thrilling matchups, as reported by Xunhua.

In the wake of legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have emerged as the leading figures in global football. Their national teams, France and Norway, will clash early in the group stage, having been drawn in Group I. Senegal, one of Africa's strongest teams, adds further intrigue to this group. The final spot will be filled by a team from the European play-offs among Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and Albania, creating what many are dubbing a 'Group of Death'.

Morocco, a surprising contender from the last World Cup, faces Brazil in Group C, putting Scotland and Haiti under considerable pressure.

England and Croatia will meet in Group L, both seen as strong contenders for the trophy. For Ghana and Panama, advancing from this group will be a formidable challenge.

Should Italy advance through the European play-offs, they will join Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B; the fate of this group remains uncertain.

In a thrilling opening match, Mexico is set to take on South Africa on home ground. South Korea will also compete in Group A, alongside the winner of the playoff between Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Ireland.

Here is the complete draw:

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European playoff winner D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland);

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European playoff winner A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina);

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti;

Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, European playoff winner C (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo);

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador;

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European playoff winner B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania);

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand;

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde;

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA playoff Winner (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq);

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan;

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA playoff Winner (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo);

Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana.