World Cup 2026 Kicks Off Today
The world’s biggest football celebration is about to begin, bringing a month of international drama, dazzling goals and passionate fans to stadiums across North America.
After years of planning and anticipation, the largest FIFA World Cup in history kicks off later today as the United States, Canada and Mexico welcome an expanded 48-team field for a month-long global soccer showcase.
The tournament opens in Mexico City, where host Mexico faces South Africa after an opening ceremony featuring international and Mexican musical stars. Check out the teams who made the cut below.
Group A to Group D
Group | Country | Key Squad Headline |
Group A | Mexico | Mexico select Ochoa for sixth World Cup |
South Africa | Burnley striker Foster named in South Africa squad | |
South Korea | South Korea captain Son picked for fourth World Cup | |
Czech Republic | West Ham’s Soucek in Czech World Cup squad | |
— | — | — |
Group B | Canada | Davies in ‘best ever’ squad for World Cup |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | Dzeko to join list of World Cup 40-year-olds | |
Qatar | Lopetegui picks Ali in Qatar squad | |
Switzerland | Xhaka makes fourth World Cup squad | |
— | — | — |
Group C | Brazil | Neymar included in Brazil’s 26-man squad |
Morocco | PSG’s Hakimi in Morocco squad despite injury | |
Haiti | Isidor and Bellegarde in Haiti squad | |
Scotland | Stewart and Curtis in squad | |
— | — | — |
Group D | United States | Adams & Robinson in US squad for World Cup |
Paraguay | Alderete and Gomez in Paraguay World Cup squad | |
Australia | Uncapped Yengi and Volpato in Australia squad | |
Turkey | Guler, Soyuncu and Calhanoglu in Turkey World Cup squad |
Group E to Group H
Group | Country | Key Squad Headline |
Group E | Germany | Neuer, 40 out of retirement to be first-choice keeper |
Curacao | Smallest nation Curacao name debut World Cup squad | |
Ivory Coast | Zaha omitted from Ivory Coast squad | |
Ecuador | Sunderland’s Angulo in Ecuador’s World Cup squad | |
— | — | — |
Group F | Netherlands | Premier League players dominate squad |
Japan | Injured Mitoma left out of squad | |
Sweden | Isak and Gyokeres named in Sweden squad | |
Tunisia | Lamouchi leaves Sassi out of squad | |
— | — | — |
Group G | Belgium | ‘Out of shape’ Lukaku in Belgium squad |
Egypt | Salah and Marmoush in Egypt squad | |
Iran | Azmoun left out of World Cup squad | |
New Zealand | Braintree’s Smith joins Forest’s Wood in squad | |
— | — | — |
Group H | Spain | Injured Lamine Yamal in squad but no Real players |
Cape Verde | Shamrock’s Lopes makes Cape Verde squad | |
Saudi Arabia | Abdulhamid only overseas player in Saudi Arabia squad | |
Uruguay | Man Utd’s Ugarte picked but veteran Suarez left out |
Group I to Group L
Group | Country | Key Squad Headline |
Group I | France | Mbappe and Dembele lead France squad |
Senegal | Mane named in Senegal squad | |
Iraq | Al-Hamadi and Iqbal named in Iraq’s World Cup squad | |
Norway | Haaland and Odegaard head Norway squad | |
— | — | — |
Group J | Argentina | Messi to represent Argentina at sixth World Cup |
Algeria | Zidane called up to Algeria squad | |
Austria | Arnautovic in World Cup squad | |
Jordan | Al-Tamari in squad for Jordan’s World Cup debut | |
— | — | — |
Group K | Portugal | Ronaldo set for record sixth World Cup |
DR Congo | Wan-Bissaka and Wissa in DR Congo squad | |
Uzbekistan | Khusanov named in Uzbekistan’s World Cup squad | |
Colombia | Rodriguez in Colombia World Cup squad after illness | |
— | — | — |
Group L | England | Foden, Palmer, Alexander-Arnold to miss World Cup |
Croatia | Croatia name Modric, 40, in squad | |
Ghana | Partey named in Ghana squad for World Cup | |
Panama | Norwich’s Cordoba in Panama’s World Cup squad |