Breaking: 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw completed as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo learn opponents

The draws for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been concluded, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo learning their potential paths to the trophy. The tournament will take place next summer in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and the draws were conducted in Washington D.C.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the defending champions, having won the title in Qatar in 2022. They have been drawn into Group J, where they will face Austria, Algeria, and Jordan.

Cristiano Ronaldo escaped a ban and will be available for Portugal from the start of the tournament. The UEFA Nations League holders are in Group K, where they will face Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winners of Playoff 1.

Lionel Messi has yet to confirm his participation in the competition, as he has repeatedly stressed the need to take things on a daily basis at 38. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, has announced that the tournament in North America will be his last, as he will be 41 years old when it begins.

Hosts Mexico have been drawn in Group A with South Korea, South Africa, and winners of Playoff D. Canada are in Group B with Switzerland, Qatar, and the winners of Playoff A. The USA are in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the winners of Playoff C.

In Group C, record winners Brazil will face Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti. Similarly, Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curacao are in Group E. In Group F, the Netherlands will take on Japan, Tunisia, and winners of Playoff B.

Group G sees Belgium drawn alongside Iran, Egypt, and New Zealand, while Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde are in Group H. In Group I, Kylian Mbappe’s France will face Senegal, Norway, and the winners of Playoff 2. Group L houses England, Croatia, Panama, and Ghana.

Here are the groups in full;

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Playoff D winner.

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Playoff A winner.

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Playoff C winners.

Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Playoff B winners.

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand.

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde.

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Playoff 2 winners.

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan.

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Playoff 1 winners.

Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana.

The remainder of the qualifiers for the tournament are set to take place in March to determine the final six entrants into the group stage.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo set to light up North America

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will headline a plethora of stars set to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer. The veteran duo are set for a final appearance in the Mundial, having appeared in every edition of the tournament since 2006.

Lionel Messi will be hoping to join a handful of players in retaining the World Cup title, having won it in Qatar in 2022. The Inter Miami man will be 39 years old during the tournament, and has admitted that he may not play for La Albiceleste.

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for his first World Cup title, and will no doubt be buoyed by the Portuguese U-17 side becoming world champions for the first time. The Al-Nassr man saw his country crash out in heartbreaking fashion in the quarterfinals in 2022, and will hope to do much better this time around.