On Friday, FIFA held the draw for the largest World Cup ever, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026.

Belgium and Iran are in Group G. That means they’ll play in Vancouver/Seattle. Egypt are drawn into Group G which means Vancouver/Seattle will see one of the world’s biggest players, Mohammed Salah. New Zealand also in Vancouver/Seattle to round out the group. No Scotland in Vancouver, as they go into Group C.

The Athletic's writers look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, after the 12 groups were drawn in Washington DC on Friday

We now know every team's path at the 2026 World Cup. On Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, a collection of FIFA soccer legends, dignitaries and celebrities drew the groups from four pots. Now, we know who every country will have to play next summer across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup creates some easy and some difficult groups for contenders. We ranked all 16 from toughest to easiest.

The US men’s soccer team will open June 12, face Australia on June 19 in Seattle and finish group play June 25 at SoFi Stadium against a team to be determined.

The first game of the World Cup will be co-hosts Mexico v South Africa. That was the same opening game in 2010 when South Africa were the hosts. It ended 1-1. Speaking of France playing Senegal, here's highlights of when Les Bleus were stunned by the African side in 2002.

The semi-finals for both the UEFA and FIFA confederation playoffs take place on Tuesday, March 26, while the finals will be played the following week on Tuesday, March 31. Once those fixtures are concluded, all qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup will be confirmed.