England have been dealt a demanding set of opponents for the 2026 World Cup, landing Croatia, Panama and Ghana in a tricky Group L.
Thomas Tuchel’s side remain favourites to progress, but the group promises few straightforward matches. England open their campaign on June 17, 2026, in either Arlington or Toronto against Croatia the nation that shattered their dreams at the 2018 World Cup by overturning Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick to win 2–1 in extra time.
Ghana, one of the strongest pot-four teams available, bring a roster packed with talent including Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey. Panama, meanwhile, are considered underdogs, though England will remember their physicality despite winning 6–1 when the sides met in 2018.
England’s second match will be against Ghana on June 23 in Foxborough or Toronto, before rounding off the group on June 27 against Panama in either East Rutherford or Philadelphia.
Given that the top two teams in each group qualify along with the eight best third-place sides across the 12 groups it would take a major shock for England to miss out on the knockout rounds. Should they top Group L, they will face a third-placed team in the last 32.
Scotland Draw Brazil
Scotland, however, face a far more daunting task in Group C, having been paired with Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, and Haiti, who return to the tournament for the first time since 1974.
Other Home Nations
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Wales or Northern Ireland, if they advance through the European play-offs, would join Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar a favourable outcome.
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If the Republic of Ireland qualify, they will slot into Group A with Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
A Star-Studded Draw in Washington
The draw ceremony was staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington, with the United States sparing no expense. US President Donald Trump, attending with First Lady Melania Trump, played a prominent role throughout the evening.
The event featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Lauryn Hill. Comedian Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum and actor Danny Ramirez served as hosts.
Bocelli opened proceedings with an emotional rendition of Nessun Dorma, before FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared FIFA the world’s “official provider of happiness” and promised that 2026 would be “the greatest event humanity has ever seen.”
Trump Receives FIFA’s First ‘Peace Prize’
In one of the evening’s most unexpected moments, Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize — complete with a towering golden trophy for his alleged role in fostering peace between nations. The award drew heavy attention and some criticism, with former FIFA President Sepp Blatter openly questioning the relationship between Trump and Infantino.
Draw Assistants and Celebrity Cameos
The ball-drawing duties were carried out by England legend Rio Ferdinand and Al Jazeera’s Samantha Johnson, joined by sporting icons including Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge.
After extended speeches, videos and musical performances, Village People finally brought the house to its feet with YMCA, with Trump dancing enthusiastically alongside the crowd.
What Comes Next?
While England, Scotland and Wales learned their opponents, the exact venues and match sequences will not be revealed until the following day — prompting an expected scramble for flights and accommodation once the details drop.
This World Cup will span the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 16 host cities and an unprecedented 104 matches. Kick-off times for UK viewers may pose challenges, with many games set for late-night or early-morning slots, prompting the UK government to consider extended pub licensing hours for key fixtures.
With stadium capacities reaching as high as 94,000 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, organisers are preparing for a tournament of enormous scale and sky-high anticipation.