England and Scotland now know their opponents for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup – but they will have to wait another day to learn when and where those fixtures take place.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas or Toronto on June 17 before playing Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Scotland’s first game at next year’s World Cup in Group C will be against Haiti in either Boston or New York on June 13 before they play Morocco and Brazil.
Wales or Northern Ireland would meet Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B, if they qualify through their play-off games next March.
The Republic of Ireland could play Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A if they qualify.
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Next summer’s competition will feature more games than ever in the now-expanded tournament with today’s glamorous ceremony in Washington DC dividing the 48 nations into 12 groups.
Over the years, we have traditionally learned final groups, dates, venues and kick-off times all on the same night.
But anyone looking to get their flights and hotels booked early doors will have to hold off until Saturday.
When are England’s World Cup fixture dates and venues confirmed?
Given the sheer size of next summer’s competition with 104 matches on the docket, FIFA have taken the decision to give themselves an extra 24 hours to ensure logistics are all correctly in place.
A separate ceremony will take place in Washington DC on Saturday evening, underway at 5pm in the UK.
Where will the World Cup group games be played?
Group A: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City (Mexico), Atlanta (USA)
Group B: Toronto, Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle (USA)
Group C: Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (USA)
Group D: Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle (USA)
Group E: Toronto (Canada), Houston, Kansas, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (USA)
Group F: Monterrey (Mexico), Dallas, Houston, Kansas (USA)
Group G: Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, Seattle (USA)
Group H: Guadalajara (Mexico), Atlanta, Houston, Miami (USA)
Group I: Toronto (Canada), Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia (USA)
Group J: Dallas, Kansas, San Francisco (USA)
Group K: Guadalajara, Mexico City (Mexico), Atlanta, Houston, Miami (USA)
Group L: Toronto (Canada), Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia (USA)
England and Scotland fans will then find out when and where their group stage games will be taking place.
A FIFA spokesman said: ‘FIFA will unveil the updated match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in a live global broadcast on Saturday, 6th December from Washington DC.
‘This will take place nearly 24 hours after the world learns of the 12 unprecedented 12 groups of four the at the tournament’s highly anticipated Final Draw.
Where will England and Scotland play their matches at the World Cup?
Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti will play in Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia.
Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama will play in Toronto, Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Boston and Philadelphia
‘Unveiled by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who will be joined on stage by FIFA Legends, and in the audience, by representatives of all 42 qualified teams as well as those still in contention, the reveal show promises to be one of the most significant moments on the road to 2026.
‘Throughout the show, expert insights and reactions will be offered, breaking down the match-ups, analysing key storylines and providing perspectives on the host venues that will welcome the world in June and July next year.’
When does the World Cup start?
The opening game of the 2026 World Cup will take place between hosts Mexico and another of their group stage opponents at the Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026.
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