The 2026 FIFAWorld Cup draw just delivered the matchup the entire planet wanted to see: the United States will face England in Group D in what is instantly being called the toughest group of the expanded 48-team tournament.
In a glitzy ceremony at the Kennedy Center hosted by Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, with Andrea Bocelli performing and President Donald Trump among the guests, FIFA served up drama from the very first ball.
The three co-hosts were handed nightmare scenarios while giants like Brazil and Argentina escaped relatively unscathed.
The moment England’s name flashed next to the USA, social media erupted. USMNT players watching live looked stunned. Within minutes “Group of Death” was trending worldwide, and ticket prices for the June 12 clash at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles skyrocketed on the secondary market.
Mexico wasn’t spared either: the Tricolor will open the tournament against Germany on June 11 at a packed Estadio Azteca.
Canada drew European powerhouse Netherlands in Group B.
Here are the full groups that have the football world losing its mind right now: Group A: Mexico, Germany, South Korea, CONCACAF Playoff Winner
Group B: Canada, Netherlands, Ecuador, AFC Playoff Winner
Group C: Brazil, Senegal, Iran, UEFA Playoff Winner
Group D: USA, England, Australia, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, UEFA Playoff Winner
Group F: Spain, Japan, Peru, Oceania Winner (almost certainly New Zealand)
Group G: France, Morocco, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff Winner
Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, UEFA Playoff Winner
Group I: Belgium, Croatia, Jordan, CONMEBOL Playoff Winner
Group J: Italy, Sweden, Cameroon, Inter-confederation Playoff Winner
Group K: Denmark, Serbia, Algeria, Inter-confederation Playoff Winner
Group L: Switzerland, Norway, Costa Rica, AFC/CONCACAF Playoff Winner
Six spots remain open and will be decided in March 2026 playoffs, but the skeleton of the biggest World Cup ever is locked in.
FIFA released the complete 104-match group-stage schedule, including exact dates, kick-off times and venues, on December 6.
Other mouth-watering ties include an immediate Argentina-Colombia rematch in Group E, France facing World Cup 2022 semi-final foes Morocco in Group G, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal meeting Luis Suárez’s Uruguay again in Group H.
Football fans are already declaring USA vs England the most marketable single group game in World Cup history.
One thing is certain: come June 12 in Los Angeles, the eyes of the sporting world will be glued to SoFi Stadium. The countdown to the most anticipated World Cup ever just went into overdrive.