The Ultimate Guide to the Group Stage

United States • Mexico • Canada June 11 – July 19, 2026

Featuring match schedules for Spain, Sweden, Norway, and England

Introduction

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic milestone in the tournament's history. For the first time, 48 nations will compete in the expanded format, and for the first time the tournament will

be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues in 16 host cities, culminating in the final at MetLife

Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.

The group stage features 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from every group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a 32-team knockout round. This article

focuses on the group-stage campaigns of four European nations with passionate fan bases: Spain, Sweden, Norway, and England.

Spain — Group H

The reigning European champions enter the World Cup as one of the favourites. Drawn into Group H alongside Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde, Spain face a tricky opener against

Cape Verde before a test against Saudi Arabia and a blockbuster final group game against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico. La Roja will be based primarily in Atlanta for the first two

matches before heading south of the border.

Group H Teams

Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

Spain's Match Schedule

The clash with Uruguay on Matchday 3 is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the entire group stage. Both nations have rich World Cup pedigrees and attacking firepower,

making this a potential classic.

Sweden — Group F

Sweden secured one of the final European qualification spots, and their reward is a demanding Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. The Swedes open against Tunisia in

Monterrey, Mexico, before facing the Dutch in Houston and finishing with a tough encounter against Japan in Arlington, Texas. Qualification from this group will require determination and tactical discipline.

Group F Teams

Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Sweden's Match Schedule

Group F is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Sweden will need a strong start against Tunisia to build momentum before the showdowns with the Netherlands

and Japan. For Scandinavian fans, this will be a nail-biting group stage.

Norway — Group I

Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, buoyed by a golden generation led

by Erling Haaland. Their Group I assignment pits them against France, Senegal, and Iraq. All of

Norway's matches take place on the US East Coast, with two games at Gillette Stadium in

Foxborough, Massachusetts, and one at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Group I Teams

France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Norway's Match Schedule

The final group match against France is the headline fixture. With Haaland leading the line,

Norway will believe they can cause an upset. The opening game against Iraq is crucial: a

convincing victory would put Norway in a strong position heading into the tougher fixtures.

England — Group L

England, runners-up at Euro 2024, were drawn into Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The Three Lions will be hoping to go deep in the tournament after heartbreak in recent major

tournaments. Their group-stage journey takes them from Arlington, Texas, to Foxborough and finally to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Group L Teams

England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England's Match Schedule

The opener against Croatia is a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the 2024 Nations League encounter, adding extra spice to the fixture. Ghana and Panama should be

beatable on paper, but England will know from experience that complacency can be costly.

See the full match schedule here

Looking Ahead

The 2026 World Cup promises to be the biggest and most spectacular edition of the tournament ever staged. With 48 teams, 16 venues, and three host nations, the scale is

unprecedented. For fans of Spain, Sweden, Norway, and England, the group stage offers a fascinating mix of familiar rivalries and new challenges.

Spain and England enter as strong favourites to progress, while Sweden and Norway face tougher draws that will test their squads to the limit. Whatever happens, the summer of 2026 is set to deliver unforgettable football moments across North America.