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.

Jesse Marsch’s team ended the 2024 international calendar ranked No. 26 in the world, a seed that would have seen them as a Pot 3 team in most World Cups. Yet, as hosts alongside the United States and Mexico, they were auto-placed in Group D and Pot 1, avoiding some of the world’s best teams.

Excitement for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico will ramp up a notch today, as the draw for the group stages takes place

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

Follow live coverage as teams are drawn for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.