England have been drawn in a group with Croatia, Panama and Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, while Scotland will face five-time winners Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
In a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, England begin their Group L campaign against Croatia on Wednesday June 17, in Dallas or Toronto.
Thomas Tuchel’s side then face Ghana on Tuesday June 23, in Toronto or Boston, with their final group game on Saturday June 27, against Panama – a team they also faced at the 2018 World Cup.
Scotland have been handed a nostalgic return to the World Cup as they face Brazil and Morocco in Group C – two teams they faced on their last appearance at the tournament in 1998.
Steve Clarke’s side open their campaign against Haiti on Saturday June 13 in Boston or New Jersey-New York Stadium.
Scotland then take on 2022 semi-finalists Morocco on Friday June 19, in Boston or Philadelphia, with their final group game against Brazil on Wednesday, June 24 in Atlanta or Miami.
The venues and kick-off times will be announced on Saturday, December 6 at 5pm UK time, when FIFA will unveil the full match schedule.
There could be one more home nation at next summer’s tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico, with Wales and Northern Ireland aiming to come through the UEFA play-offs in March.
Wales or Northern Ireland would be in Group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
The Republic of Ireland can also qualify for the 2026 World Cup through the play-offs and could face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A.
Next year’s tournament will be the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 nations taking part – an expansion from 32 – across 104 matches, with 16 cities hosting games.
The tournament opens with co-hosts Mexico against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. It is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener as then-hosts South Africa claimed a 1-1 draw.
The 2026 World Cup final will be on July 19 at the New York-New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.
World Cup draw in full
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Republic of Ireland/Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Wales/Northern Ireland/Italy/Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Poland/Ukraine/Sweden/Albania
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq or Bolivia/Suriname
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo or Jamaica/New Caledonia
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
World Cup match schedule
FIFA will reveal the match schedule at 5pm UK time on Saturday, December 6, where kick-off times and locations will be unveiled.
But FIFA has already announced key dates and confirmed that the opening match will be held in Mexico City, while the final will take place at the New York-New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium – home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Group stage: June 11-27
Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarter-finals: July 9-11
Semi-finals: July 14-15
Third-place play-off (‘Bronze final’): July 18
Final: July 19
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
