The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is gearing up to be the biggest edition in history. The group-stage draw for the expanded 48-team tournament has already been completed, revealing the early matchups. Although 42 teams have officially secured their spots, six more will qualify through the playoff rounds. Interestingly, the latest draw has revived memories of three previous World Cup editions—especially with what happened in Brazil’s group.
Déjà Vu for Scotland as History Repeats Itself
Scotland is returning to the World Cup after 28 long years. Their last appearance was in 1998—and surprisingly, the 2026 draw mirrors that same group-stage scenario. Alongside five-time champions Brazil, Scotland once again finds itself grouped with Morocco. The only new addition this time is Haiti.
“𝑰𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 1998 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏,” 𝒋𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒘.
Morocco, which shocked the world by reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, enters this tournament in exceptional form. Brazil, meanwhile, will begin their campaign against the Moroccans—the same fixture they won 3-0 back in 1998. Brazil also defeated Scotland 2-1 the same year, while Morocco beat Scotland 3-0. For Scotland, the 1998 tournament was a disappointment, and Brazil eventually fell 3-0 in a controversial final against hosts France.
Old Rivalries Renewed in Group I
Two other familiar matchups will return in the 2026 tournament. France, champions of the 2018 World Cup, land in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway, and a playoff-winning side (Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname). France and Senegal famously met in the 2002 World Cup group stage, where Senegal stunned the world with a 1-0 victory over the defending champions.
There is added excitement this time as fans anticipate the battle between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
“𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕’𝒔 𝒃𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔,” 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅.
Group L Named the New ‘Group of Death’
Group L is already being labeled the toughest group of the tournament. England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama will battle for the top spots. England and Panama last met in the 2018 World Cup, where England triumphed 6-1. But this time, Panama arrives with new strength—they finished runners-up in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Croatia and Ghana add even more intensity to this fiercely competitive group.
A Historic Tournament Format Ahead
For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, starting on June 11, 2026. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 stadiums in the three host nations.
From the group stage, 32 teams (top two from each group) will advance automatically. Another eight best third-placed teams will join them to complete the Round of 36. From there, the tournament will proceed to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand finale on July 19.
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