Which countries will play in Houston for the 2026 World Cup? Here's the scoop on the final draw results.
Houston will host a total of seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting in mid-June. These games will include five Group Stage matches, one Round of 32, and one Round of 16. The first match at Houston Stadium will kick off on June 14, and the final game will be played on July 4.
Here's a breakdown of the Houston matches and the full group draw results, with world rankings included for context.
Houston Matches:
- June 14: Germany (9) vs. Curaçao (82) - Group E
- June 17: Portugal (6) vs. FIFA Playoff 1 (Jamaica/New Caledonia/Democratic Republic of the Congo) - Group K
- June 20: Netherlands (7) vs. UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania) - Group F
- June 23: Portugal (6) vs. Uzbekistan (50) - Group K
- June 26: Cabo Verde (68) vs. Saudi Arabia (60) - Group H
- June 29: Round of 32 (1C vs. 2F)
- July 4: Round of 16 (Winner of Match 73 vs. Winner of Match 75)
Full Group Draw Results (World Rankings):
- Group A: Mexico (15), South Africa (61), South Korea (22), UEFA Playoff D
- Group B: Canada (27), UEFA Playoff A, Qatar (51), Switzerland (17)
- Group C: Brazil (5), Morocco (11), Haiti (84), Scotland (36)
- Group D: United States (14), Paraguay (39), Australia (26), UEFA Playoff C
- Group E: Germany (9), Curaçao (82), Ivory Coast (42), Ecuador (23)
- Group F: Netherlands (7), Japan (18), UEFA Playoff B, Tunisia (40)
- Group G: Belgium (8), Egypt (34), Iran (20), New Zealand (86)
- Group H: Spain (1), Cabo Verde (68), Saudi Arabia (60), Uruguay (16)
- Group I: France (3), Senegal (19), FIFA Playoff 2, Norway (29)
- Group J: Argentina (2), Algeria (35), Austria (24), Jordan (66)
- Group K: Portugal (6), FIFA Playoff 1, Uzbekistan (50), Colombia (13)
- Group L: England (4), Croatia (10), Ghana (72), Panama (30)
Key Notes:
- Six spots in the World Cup won't be determined until March, with four European teams qualifying via UEFA playoffs and two via FIFA playoffs.
- Japan was the first team to secure a spot, back in March.
- Four countries will make their World Cup debut: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. This number could increase with March's playoffs.
- 16 teams have already qualified that weren't in the 2022 World Cup, including Haiti, who hasn't been since 1974.
- Ivory Coast, England, and Tunisia qualified without conceding a goal.
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