The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been completed, revealing the group stage match-ups for England and Scotland. The tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 48 teams. England has been placed in Group L, where they will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Scotland, meanwhile, finds itself in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. The draw occurred at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and was conducted by former England international Rio Ferdinand and Al Jazeera's Samantha Johnson. The event was attended by various sports celebrities, including Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal. As the tournament approaches, two of Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland could also qualify, pending the results of the European play-offs scheduled for March. Four additional teams will secure their spots from Europe, but only one of Wales and Northern Ireland can qualify as they are in the same play-off section. In addition to the European play-offs, two inter-continental play-offs will take place in March, with six teams competing for two spots in the tournament. Notably, Jamaica will face New Caledonia, with the winner going up against DR Congo, while Bolivia will meet Suriname, with the victor taking on Iraq. The opening match of the World Cup will feature co-host Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026, culminating in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium. England is considered one of the pre-tournament favourites, and manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed optimism about their chances. "You dream about it because it’s huge and my personal biggest joy is to see the joy of the players, the staff and my friends and family to see how they happy are," he stated. He emphasised the importance of team spirit, saying, "If the players bring that then I think anything is possible." Match dates and kick-off times will be confirmed by FIFA on 6 December, with further details on ticketing to be announced shortly thereafter.