The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the opening matches. According to recent announcements, England will launch their tournament campaign against Croatia, while Brazil, five-time World Cup winners, will play their first match against Scotland. The draw, held on Friday night, also confirmed that the opening match of the tournament will see the reigning champions Argentina face Algeria in a highly anticipated encounter.
Scotland is returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, a momentous occasion for Scottish football. Their first match of the tournament will take place on Friday, 19 June, against Morocco, with the venue to be either Boston or Philadelphia. Just a few days later, on 24 June, Scotland will face Brazil in what promises to be a historic encounter, held either in Atlanta or Miami. The fourth team in their group is Haiti, completing a fascinating mix of debutants and seasoned nations.
For England, the 2026 World Cup represents the start of a new era under Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions will face Croatia in their opening match on 17 June, with the venue likely being either Dallas or Toronto. They are joined in Group L by Ghana and Panama, creating a competitive group that promises excitement from the very first match. Fans will be watching closely to see how Tuchel’s squad navigates these early challenges.
This World Cup is set to be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will be jointly hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, running from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This expansion is expected to bring a new level of global excitement and fan engagement, with matches spread across iconic stadiums in North America.
Football experts are already speculating about potential group stage upsets, standout players to watch, and the likely impact of travel and climate across the three host countries. Scotland’s return after nearly three decades will be a storyline to follow closely, while Brazil’s opening fixture promises to be a spectacle as they aim to assert dominance early in the tournament. England, on the other hand, will hope to find consistency and build momentum from their opening clash against Croatia.
The full official fixture list will be announced at 11 PM Bangladesh time today, providing fans worldwide with a detailed schedule of matches. Until then, speculation and anticipation continue to dominate discussions in football circles, as supporters prepare for a truly historic World Cup in 2026.