World Cup 2026 Draw Drops Fireworks: Morocco-Brazil Collision and a Red-Hot Saudi Group
5 December 2025
World Cup 2026 Draw Sparks Explosive Group Stage
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, was held this Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, and it produced groups that look both fiery and balanced.
Morocco, Africa’s most remarkable story after finishing fourth in the previous World Cup, was drawn alongside Brazil, the record five-time champions, setting up a marquee start to the tournament.
Saudi Arabia will collide with Spain, Europe’s reigning champion, and Uruguay in what promises to be a demanding and dramatic group.
Egypt landed with Belgium, while Tunisia is set to face the Netherlands and Japan, offering a mix of power and pace across the trio.
Algeria’s fate was not easy: a clash with the World Cup champions Argentina and a regional derby with Jordan await, while Qatar was paired with Switzerland and Canada, with a potential Italy test if they advance from the playoffs.
Senegal meets France in a rematch of a memorable opening confrontation from 2002, and Norway, led by Erling Haaland, is in the same frame of reference as Iraq could join the mix if they progress in the playoffs.
The opening match is scheduled for June 11, with Mexico taking on South Africa, echoing the 2010 kickoff that finished 1-1.
World Cup Groups
1- Mexico - South Korea - South Africa - (Denmark or North Macedonia or Czech Republic or Ireland)
2- Canada - Switzerland - Qatar - (Italy or Northern Ireland or Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina)
3- Brazil - Morocco - Scotland - Haiti
4- United States - Australia - Paraguay - (Turkey or Romania or Slovakia or Kosovo)
5- Germany - Ecuador - Ivory Coast - Curaçao
6- Netherlands - Japan - Tunisia - (Ukraine or Sweden or Poland or Albania)
7- Belgium - Iran - Egypt - New Zealand
8- Spain - Uruguay - Saudi Arabia - Cape Verde
9- France - Senegal - Norway - (Iraq or Bolivia or Suriname)
10- Argentina - Austria - Algeria - Jordan
11- Portugal - Colombia - Uzbekistan - (DR Congo or Jamaica or New Caledonia)
12- England - Croatia - Panama - Ghana
In short: a draw that promises fireworks, big nights, and perhaps a few late goals to settle the drama.
Humor break: If these groups were a playlist, the DJ hit shuffle and somehow every track slapped. Punchline time: this draw is so spicy that even the VAR asked for milk. Punchline 2: the balls clearly had a great sense of humor—they rolled straight into the most dramatic hours of football this year.
