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England’s journey in the 2026 World Cup will kick off against Croatia, while Scotland finds itself grouped with Brazil in the upcoming tournament scheduled for next summer. Managed by Thomas Tuchel, England is set to play its opening match on Wednesday, June 17, in either Dallas or Toronto. Alongside Croatia, the team will contend with Ghana and Panama in Group L. Meanwhile, Scotland will make its first World Cup appearance in 28 years beginning Saturday, June 13, with a game against Haiti in Boston or New York, followed by encounters with Morocco and Brazil in Group C.
Wales or Northern Ireland could join the fray in Group B, competing alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland, provided one of those two nations emerges victorious from two rounds of UEFA play-off matches happening in March. Similarly, the Republic of Ireland may face Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea if they secure qualification. The 2026 tournament marks the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and will take place across three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
The precise schedule and venues for each nation’s fixtures will be finalized at a draw set for Saturday at 17:00 GMT. However, current details indicate England’s group matches after their opener versus Croatia will include a game against Ghana on June 23 in either Toronto or Boston and a final group match against Panama on June 27 in Philadelphia or New York. Scotland’s sequence includes their clash against Morocco on June 19 in Boston or Philadelphia and a game against Brazil on June 24, which will be hosted in either Atlanta or Miami. In an exciting opening match for the expanded tournament, Mexico will face South Africa at Estadio Azteca. Overall, the competition will span 104 matches across 16 cities.
A notable change in this World Cup draw is the special seeding given to the top four FIFA-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—which ensures they cannot meet before the semi-finals, assuming they win their respective groups. England, which finished as runners-up in Euro 2024, may meet the winner of Brazil’s group in the quarter-final stage. Winning their group would pit the Three Lions against one of the eight best third-placed teams in the initial knockout round. Scotland, drawn from pot three, faces a challenging group with Brazil (ranked 5th) and Morocco (ranked 11th) as they strive to reach the knockout rounds. The tournament’s structure consists of 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group plus the best eight third-placed sides advancing forward.
England’s coach Tuchel, whose squad remained unbeaten and without conceding a goal through an impeccable World Cup qualifying effort, reflected on the difficult group draw: “Difficult group, difficult opener. Croatia and Ghana [are] two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations. Panama I don’t know much about at the moment, but we will before the tournament starts.” He stressed the importance of approaching the group stage with respect and focus on winning the group. Tuchel acknowledged Croatia as England’s toughest opponent but warned not to underestimate Ghana or Panama, emphasizing the competitive spirit all teams bring to the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, boasting a record 48 teams, was described by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as akin to experiencing “104 Super Bowls in one month” for American viewers. The event’s draw ceremony in Washington DC was spotlighted by a star-studded lineup including comedian Kevin Hart, model Heidi Klum, and actor Danny Ramirez, with musical performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Lauryn Hill. Former English international Rio Ferdinand oversaw the draw, joined by sporting legends such as Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Shaquille O’Neal, and Canadian hockey great Wayne Gretzky. Host nations Mexico, Canada, and the United States were assigned predetermined group positions so they could compete on home soil for group matches. Notably, former US President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony, an honor he described as “one of the great honours of my life.”
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