© Getty Images
A record number of 48 countries will compete at next summer’s 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The draw for the group stage was made on Friday in Washington, D.C..
The tournament’s preliminary round will be split into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each section and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32.
Here’s an overview of who Bayern’s potential World Cup participants will face in the finals.
World Cup groups for Bayern players
Minjae Kim’s South Korea were placed into Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and also the winner of the fourth UEFA play-off – to be played in March – between the Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark and North Macedonia.
Fellow co-hosts Canada were already assigned to Group B and hope to have their talismanic captain Alphonso Davies back fully fit for next summer after his cruciate ligament injury. The Canucks will play against Switzerland, Qatar and the winner of the first European play-off between Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
A Germany team featuring captain Joshua Kimmich and recently including Aleksandar Pavlović, Serge Gnabry, Jonathan Tah and Leon Goretzka will compete in Group E against Ecuador, Ivory Coast and debutants Curacao.
Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano were fixtures of France’s qualifying and will be in Group I up against Senegal and Bayern teammate Nicolas Jackson, as well as Norway and the winner of the second FIFA play-off between Iraq, Bolivia and Suriname.
Sporting greats Tom Brady (l.), Shaquille O’Neal (2nd l.), Aaron Judge (2nd r.) and Wayne Gretzky (r.) drew the groups for the 2026 World Cup. | © Getty Images
Hiroki Ito’s Japan were placed in Group F against the Netherlands, Tunisia and the winner of the second UEFA play-off between Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania.
Defending champions Argentina will compete with Austria and their all-rounder Konrad Laimer, alongside Algeria and Jordan in Group J.
Luis Díaz and Colombia were drawn into Group K with Portugal, for whom Raphaël Guerreiro will hope to receive a call-up. They’re alongside Uzbekistan and the first FIFA play-off winner (DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia).
England and captain Harry Kane lead Group L and will open the tournament against Josip Stanišić’s Croatia, plus Ghana and Panama.
2026 World Cup group draw
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Canada | Brazil | USA |
| South Africa | UEFA play-off winner A | Morocco | Paraguay |
| South Korea | Qatar | Haiti | Australia |
| UEFA play-off winner D | Switzerland | Scotland | UEFA play-off winner C |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Netherlands | Belgium | Spain |
| Curacao | Japan | Egypt | Cape Verde |
| Ivory Coast | UEFA play-off winner B | Iran | Saudi Arabia |
| Ecuador | Tunisia | New Zealand | Uruguay |
| Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Argentina | Portugal | England |
| Senegal | Algeria | FIFA play-off winner 1 | Croatia |
| FIFA play-off winner 2 | Austria | Uzbekistan | Ghana |
| Norway | Jordan | Colombia | Panama |
Dates and venues for all group fixtures will be announced by FIFA on Saturday.
Bayern are also away at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday:
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