PhiThis will be the last World Cup where 32 teams will participate in 8 groups in the final round. 48 teams will compete in the final round of the 2026 World Cup.
Groups as follows (FIFA rank in brackets)
Group A
Qatar (49), Ecuador (44), Senegal (18), Netherlands (8).
Netherlands’ 11th World Cup, three-time World Cup runner-up finish.
Key Players: Virgil Van Dijk, Memphis Depay
Senegal’s third World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals in 2002.
Key players: Sadio Mane, Koulibaly
Ecuador’s fourth World Cup, reaching the prequarters in 2006.
Starring: Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata.
This is Qatar’s first World Cup.
Starring: Akram Afifi, Almos Ali.
Group B
England (5), Iran (20), USA (16), Wales (19)
England’s 16th World Cup in 1996.
Starring: Harry Kane, Phil Foden.
Iran’s 6th World Cup has not gone beyond the preliminary round.
Starring: Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun.
USA’s 11th World Cup. In 1930, he won the third position.
Starring: Pulisic, Taylor Adams.
Wales’ second World Cup The previous qualifier was in 1958 when he finished third.
Starring: Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey.
Group C
Argentina (3), Saudi Arabia (51), Mexico (13), Poland (26),
Argentina is coming to the 18th World Cup. Champions in 1978 and 86.
Key players: Lionel Messi, Di Maria.
Saudi Arabia’s 6th World Cup The second round in 1994 was a great performance.
Starring: Fahad Al Muwallad, Salem Aldausari.
Mexico’s 17th World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986.
Starring: Guillermo Ochava, Raul Jimenez.
Poland’s ninth World Cup, third-place finishes in 1974 and ’82.
Key players: Lewandowski, Piotr Zwilinski.
Group D
France (4), Australia (38), Denmark (10), Tunisia (30)
France’s 16th World Cup, defending champions. Also won the title in 1998.
Key players: Karim Benzema, Mbappe.
Australia’s sixth World Cup. In 2006, he reached the prequarter.
Starring: Matthew Ryan, Aaron Mooy.
Denmark’s sixth World Cup appearance in the quarter-finals in 1998.
Starring: Christian Eriksson, Andreas Kristinsson
Tunisia’s sixth World Cup. Not yet past the group stage.
Starring: Yan Valery, Hannibal Majbri.