The lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been established after the groups were drawn at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Some teams are celebrating their luck, whereas others might feel a wave of apprehension following the draw.

Ranking of the 2026 World Cup Groups from Easiest to Toughest

12. Group K
Countries: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Playoff 1
Average FIFA ranking: 40.2
Highest-ranked team: Portugal (6)
The key match here will certainly be between Portugal (6) and Colombia (13). The victor is likely to determine the group champion, as the nearest competitor holds a FIFA ranking of 50.

Group K

11. Group E
Countries: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Average FIFA ranking: 39
Highest-ranked team: Germany (9)
Germany emerged favorably on Friday, landing in a group with the lowest overall FIFA ranking. Curaçao, the least ranked in this group, notably qualified for the World Cup despite being the smallest nation by population with just 156,115 residents.

Group E

10. Group G
Countries: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Average FIFA ranking: 37
Highest-ranked team: Belgium (8)
Although Belgium’s prime years may be behind them, they should progress to the Round of 32 with little difficulty, as Iran is the only team in this group with a FIFA ranking higher than 20.

Group G

9. Group H
Countries: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Average FIFA ranking: 36.3
Highest-ranked team: Spain (1)
Spain faces a tough competition in Uruguay, ranked 16th. However, the remaining teams rank at 60 and 68.

Group H

8. Group A
Countries: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, European Playoff D
Average FIFA ranking: 36.3
Highest-ranked team: Mexico (15)
Co-host Mexico leads the group, but they are closely followed by South Korea (22). This could narrow if Denmark, ranked 21st, qualifies.

Group A

7. Group B
Countries: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, European Playoff A
Average FIFA ranking: 35.3
Highest-ranked team: Switzerland (17)
Although Canada is a Pot 1 team, they find themselves behind Switzerland in rankings.

Group B

6. Group I
Countries: France, Senegal, Norway, Intercontinental Playoff 2
Average FIFA ranking: 34.2
Highest-ranked team: France (3)
This group features notable players like Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané, marking it as one of the tougher groups.

Group I

5. Group C
Countries: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Average FIFA ranking: 34
Highest-ranked team: Brazil (5)
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, is among competitors from Morocco and Scotland.

Group C

4. Group D
Countries: USA, Australia, Paraguay, European Playoff C
Average FIFA ranking: 32.1
Highest-ranked team: USA (14)
The U.S. ends this draw favorably; however, European teams in Playoff C could create problems.

Group D

3. Group J
Countries: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Average FIFA ranking: 31.8
Highest-ranked team: Argentina (2)
Argentina looks poised to lead this grouping, regardless of Lionel Messi’s participation.

Group J

2. Group L
Countries: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Average FIFA ranking: 29
Highest-ranked team: England (4)
This group could prove to be the most formidable due to the presence of multiple top-10 ranked teams.

Group L

1. Group F
Countries: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, European Playoff B
Average FIFA ranking: 26.6
Highest-ranked team: Netherlands (7)
Despite the absence of the top-tier teams, the group holds intense competition potential.

Group F

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