WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP STAGE
World Cup 2026 Groups
All 12 groups (A–L) of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Follow standings, predict group stage results and see who advances to the knockout stage.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Format
The World Cup 2026 group stage runs from June 11 to July 2, 2026. There are 12 groups of 4 teams each, producing 72 matches in total. Each team plays three games — one against every other team in their group. Points are awarded for wins (3 pts) and draws (1 pt). The top 2 teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, and the 8 best third-placed teams also qualify, for a total of 32 teams in the knockout stage.
All 12 Groups
How Teams Advance
1st
1st Place
Top team in each group advances automatically to Round of 32
2nd
2nd Place
Runner-up in each group also advances to the Round of 32
3rd*
Best 3rd Places
The 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also qualify
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72 group stage matches. Predict them all for free and climb the leaderboard.
Start PredictingWorld Cup 2026 Groups FAQ
How many groups are in World Cup 2026?
FIFA World Cup 2026 has 12 groups — Groups A through L. This is an increase from the 8 groups used in previous 32-team tournaments.
How many teams are in each World Cup 2026 group?
Each of the 12 World Cup 2026 groups contains 4 teams. Every team plays 3 group stage matches — one against each of the other teams in their group, making 72 total group stage matches.
How do teams qualify from the group stage?
The top 2 teams from each group (24 teams total) automatically advance to the Round of 32. Additionally, the 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also qualify, bringing the total to 32 teams in the knockout stage.
Which group is the hardest in World Cup 2026?
The draw uses a seeding system based on FIFA rankings. Groups containing multiple strong UEFA and CONMEBOL teams are typically considered the toughest. Follow PeelPel for live group standings and predictions.
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Live standings, match predictions and fan discussions for every group.
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