World Cup 2026 Draw: France Land in a Tough Group as Full Tournament Line-Up Revealed

The full draw for the 2026 World Cup has been revealed. France face Senegal, Norway and a play-off qualifier in a challenging Group I, with matches in New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first ever expanded to 48 teams — took place in Washington on Friday, delivering a new-look tournament structure and several heavyweight clashes. For France, 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up, the verdict is clear: Group I is one of the toughest of the entire draw.

France’s Group I: A Challenging Path Ahead

Didier Deschamps’ side will face a dangerous Senegal team, an improving Norway led by emerging talent, and the winner of the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off (Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq). It’s a draw far more difficult than the favourable groups the French team enjoyed in recent tournaments.

France’s Three Group-Stage Matches

France vs Senegal — June 16, 2026 at 9 p.m.
Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York
France vs Play-Off Winner (Bolivia / Suriname / Iraq) — June 22, 2026 at 11 p.m.
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
France vs Norway — June 26, 2026 at 9 p.m.
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Boston

If France finish first in Group I, they will remain on the USA’s East Coast throughout the knockout stages — with potential matches in New York, Philadelphia or Boston, until a possible semi-final in Dallas.

Why Group I Is One of the Tournament’s Toughest

Senegal: one of Africa’s strongest teams, tactically organised and physically dominant.
Norway: a rising European side with strong individual talents and a clear tactical identity.
Play-Off Winner: unpredictable and motivated — these teams often arrive with momentum and nothing to lose.

France will need discipline, squad depth and early tournament rhythm to navigate this group successfully.

Complete World Cup 2026 Draw — All Twelve Groups

The expanded World Cup features 12 groups of four teams. Here is the full draw:

Group A

Mexico
South Africa
Republic of Korea
European Play-Off D (Denmark / North Macedonia / Czechia / Republic of Ireland)

Group B

Canada
European Play-Off A (Italy / Northern Ireland / Wales / Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Qatar
Switzerland

Group C

Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Group D

United States
Paraguay
Australia
European Play-Off C (Turkey / Romania / Slovakia / Kosovo)

Group E

Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador

Group F

Netherlands
Japan
European Play-Off B (Ukraine / Sweden / Poland / Albania)
Tunisia

Group G

Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand

Group H

Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

Group I

France
Senegal
Intercontinental Play-Off Winner (Bolivia / Suriname / Iraq)
Norway

Group J

Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan

Group K

Portugal
FIFA Play-Off 1 Winner (New Caledonia / Jamaica / DR Congo)
Uzbekistan
Colombia

Group L

England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama

Winners and Losers of the Draw

Winners

Germany: avoids major threats in Group E.
Argentina: favourable, balanced Group J.
Mexico and USA: tournament hosts with manageable paths.
Portugal: winnable group with clear route to knockout stages.

Losers

France: arguably the toughest group of the top seeds.
Netherlands: a tricky Group F featuring Japan and a strong European play-off winner.
Morocco: drawn with Brazil in Group C.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 World Cup draw sets the stage for a historic edition across the United States, Mexico and Canada. France face a demanding route, but their pedigree means expectations remain high. Meanwhile, several heavyweight nations appear to have favourable openings, increasing pressure on them to perform.

For fans, analysts and teams alike, the countdown begins — and the road to glory is officially mapped out.