England learn FIFA World Cup 2026 draw

England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama at next year's FIFA World Cup 2026 after being placed in Group L during today's draw.

The draw took place at the John F. Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington, DC, USA.

The 42 qualified nations were involved in the draw alongside a vacant six spaces that will be filled next year following the play-offs, which are scheduled to take place in March 2026 to complete the full line-up of 48 teams at the World Cup.

The draw

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Winner of Play-Off D
Group B: Canada, Winner of Play-Off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of Play-Off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of Play-Off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of Play-Off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner of Play-Off 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Match dates and kick-off times are set to be confirmed by FIFA on the evening of Saturday 6 December.

Further details on ticket categories, pricing and next steps will be shared to ESTC Members on Monday 8 December, when the ESTC initial registration of interest opens. You can read the latest information we can share here.

As always, we advise all supporters to only book arrangements once official announcements are made and all details are confirmed.

The FIFA World Cup 26 Finals will be staged between 11 June to 19 July 2026 across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle (USA); Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey (Mexico) and Toronto and Vancouver (Canada).

The World Cup final will be held in New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July 2026.

Before the tournament begins, England are also expected to play two warm-up games, with details yet to be confirmed.