FIFA WORLD CUP™ 2026
2026
USA · CANADA · MEXICO — 48 NATIONS, ONE SUMMER.
ROAD TO GLORY.
The bracket, by final group position. Spoiler-free by default — reveal the confirmed fixtures to see who advanced from the groups.
Spoiler: reveals who advanced from the groups.
Round of 32
Round of 16
Semi-finals
Final
★CHAMPION
Third-place play-off
Jul 18
France
England
Jul 18 · View →
France
England
Jul 18 · View →
Semi-finals
Round of 16
Round of 32
GROUPS A–L.
48 nations drawn into 12 groups. Click a team name to open its 26-man squad page; squads are added as official announcements arrive.
South Korea
Czechia
Qatar
Haiti
Scotland
Türkiye
Curaçao
Tunisia
Iran
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Iraq
Jordan
Uzbekistan
Panama
POT 1 (Hosts + top 9)
POT 2
POT 3
POT 4
READ FIRST.
01
REVIEW
1
The tournament is over. A review that includes results (spoilers).
02
READ FIRST
3
Start here. The essentials: Japan calendar, tournament format, and watch prep.
01
SUPPORTER CALENDAR
Japan Supporter's Calendar — JST Kickoff Times for Every Path
Japan's three Group F matches plus every knockout-path kickoff in Japan Standard Time. The 3rd-place path has three possible date/time slots, not one.
02
DEEP DIVE
Group F Deep Dive — All 26-man Squads Confirmed
Final 26-man squads, predicted lineups, key players, and 6-match previews for Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia — all spoiler-safe pre-tournament data.
03
FORMAT
How the 2026 World Cup Works — A Guide to the New 48-Team Format
A clear explanation of the 2026 World Cup's expanded 48-team format, from group stage to final.
03
WATCH PREP
3
When and where to watch, and how to follow the tournament while avoiding spoilers.
01
SCHEDULE
Reading the 2026 World Cup Schedule from Japan — Time Zones, Late-Night Kickoffs, and Recording Margins
A guide for Japan-based viewers on how the 2026 World Cup schedule maps across North American time zones, when matches actually start in JST, and how much margin to allocate for recordings including extra time and penalties.
02
BROADCAST
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup in Japan — NHK, Commercial TV, and DAZN Combined
As of May 2026, here's how the 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are split across NHK, NTV, Fuji TV, NHK BS Premium 4K, DAZN, and NHK ONE for viewers based in Japan.
03
VIEWING
2026 World Cup Spoiler Prep — A Catch-Up Viewer's Tournament Checklist
Tournament-specific techniques for blocking 2026 World Cup spoilers across phones, social media, and search so you can catch up on late-night kickoffs at your own pace.
04
RULES
2
Tiebreakers and knockout bracket — the rules that sharpen your viewing.
01
RULES
Group-Stage Tiebreakers — How Standings Are Decided When Points Are Level
A clear walk-through of the 2026 World Cup group-stage tiebreaker order, including the key change from previous tournaments.
02
BRACKET
How the Knockout Bracket Works — Round of 32 Pairings Explained
How the Round of 32 pairings are predetermined at the draw, with the full set of 16 fixtures laid out.
05
GROUP PREVIEWS
12
All 12 groups, four nations each. Group F has a dedicated 'deep dive' above.
01
GROUP F PREVIEW
Group F Preview — Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia
A pre-tournament read of Group F: qualification routes, World Cup history, and the matchup landscape for Japan's group.
02
GROUP A PREVIEW
Group A Preview — Mexico, South Africa, South Korea & Czechia
A pre-tournament read of Group A: qualification routes, World Cup history, and the matchup landscape — starting with the tournament's opening match.
03
GROUP B PREVIEW
Group B Preview — Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina
A pre-tournament read of Group B: co-host Canada, European stalwart Switzerland, consecutive-qualifier Qatar, and dramatic returnees Bosnia and Herzegovina.
04
GROUP C PREVIEW
Group C Preview — Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland
A pre-tournament read of Group C: qualification routes, World Cup history, and the matchup landscape for the group featuring five-time champions Brazil.
05
GROUP D PREVIEW
Group D Preview — USA, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye
A pre-tournament read of Group D: qualification routes, World Cup history, and the matchup landscape for the group featuring hosts USA.
06
GROUP E PREVIEW
Group E Preview — Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador
A pre-tournament read of Group E: qualification routes, World Cup history, and what to watch in Germany's group — including Curaçao's historic debut and the 2024 AFCON champions from Ivory Coast.
07
GROUP G PREVIEW
Group G Preview — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand
A pre-tournament read of Group G: Europe's post-golden-generation powerhouse, Salah's farewell stage, Iran's historic R16 bid, and the All Whites' 16-year comeback.
08
GROUP H PREVIEW
Group H Preview — Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay
A pre-tournament breakdown of Group H: European champions Spain face debutants Cape Verde, 2022 giant-killers Saudi Arabia, and two-time World Cup winners Uruguay.
09
GROUP I PREVIEW
Group I Preview — France, Senegal, Norway, and Iraq
A pre-tournament look at Group I: defending champions France, Senegal's golden generation, Haaland and Ødegaard's Norway returning after 28 years, and Iraq back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
10
GROUP J PREVIEW
Group J Preview — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan
A pre-tournament read of Group J: qualification routes, World Cup history, and the matchup landscape for the defending champions' group. Messi's sixth World Cup, Algeria's 12-year comeback, Austria's 28-year return, and Jordan's historic debut all in one bracket.
11
GROUP K PREVIEW
Group K Preview — Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia
A pre-tournament read of Group K: Ronaldo's record-breaking sixth World Cup, DR Congo's return after 52 years, Uzbekistan's historic debut, and Colombia's James–Díaz combination — all in one group.
12
GROUP L PREVIEW
Group L Preview — England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama
A pre-tournament breakdown of Group L: the 2018 World Cup finalists collide, Ghana's star-studded attack returns, and Panama seek a first-ever World Cup win.
Fixtures and remaining nations’ squads will be added as official announcements arrive. The detailed Group F player breakdown follows in a separate article.
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Flag icons by flag-icons (Panayiotis Lipiridis), MIT License.