The 2026 World Cup draw is finished, and the 12 groups now range from clear paths to outright craziness. The Host countries got soft landings, Brazil and the Netherlands drew each other, and nine debut nations face very different tests. Here is every group ranked from easiest to hardest based on current FIFA rankings, recent results, and the six playoff placeholders still to come.
2026 World Cup Groups Ranked
The 2026 World Cup groups are set. Below is a ranking from easiest (1) to hardest (12) based on FIFA rankings (November 2025), recent form, head-to-head records, and travel demands. Rankings graphic from FOX Sports.
| Rank | Group | Teams | Why this ranking |
| 1 | K | Portugal, Winner of Play-Off 1 (New Caledonia/Jamaica/DR Congo), Uzbekistan, Colombia | Portugal and Colombia are strong, but Uzbekistan and the likely playoff winner (e.g., Jamaica) rank low. Low combined strength. |
| 2 | E | Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador | Germany leads, but Curaçao is the lowest-ranked team overall. Ecuador and Côte d’Ivoire add mid-level competition. |
| 3 | G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand | Belgium is top-10, Iran and Egypt mid-tier, but New Zealand ranks near 100. |
| 4 | I | France, Senegal, Winner of Play-Off 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq), Norway | France dominates, Norway and Senegal solid, but playoff likely weak (e.g., Bolivia ~80). |
| 5 | A | Mexico (Host), South Africa, South Korea, Winner of Play-Off D (Denmark/Czechia/North Macedonia/Republic of Ireland) | Mexico host, South Korea mid, South Africa weak; playoff average ~48. |
| 6 | H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay | Spain #1 and Uruguay top-20, but Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia rank 70+. |
| 7 | C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland | Brazil #5 and Morocco #11, but Haiti ~90 and Scotland 36 soften it. |
| 8 | B | Canada (Host), Winner of Play-Off A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina), Qatar, Switzerland | Switzerland #17, Qatar ~51, Canada host; playoff could be Italy #12. |
| 9 | J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan | Argentina #2, Austria #24, Algeria #35; Jordan ~68. |
| 10 | D | USA (Host), Paraguay, Australia, Winner of Play-Off C (Türkiye/Slovakia/Romania/Kosovo) | USA host, Australia #26, Paraguay #39; playoff ~50 (e.g., Türkiye #25). |
| 11 | L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama | England #4, Croatia #10, Panama #30; Ghana ~65. |
| 12 | F | Netherlands, Japan, Winner of Play-Off B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania), Tunisia | Netherlands #7, Japan #18, Tunisia #40; playoff ~40 (e.g., Ukraine #28). Clear Group of Death. |
Quick Notes
- Hosts (USA, Mexico, Canada) all in top-half easiest groups.
- Group F has the highest combined ranking points.
- Nine debutants; Curaçao in E has easiest debut path.
- Playoff winners (March 2026) could shift rankings slightly.
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedules, Brackets and More
Here are some of our related 2026 FIFA World Cup article for you to check out and use to plan how you will attend or watch the games this summer.
- Full match schedule (dates, times, venues) released 12/6/2025 at 12:00 PM ET
- Blank 2026 World Cup Bracket
- 2026 World Cup Bracket with Groups; Printable PDF (link)
Related: Groups Ranked | Printable Bracket with Groups | Blank Knockout PDF | Live Schedule Updates
