England have been thrown straight into the fire at the 2026 World Cup with a sizzling opener against Croatia, a clash that will ignite the nation from the first whistle. Thomas Tuchel’s men step into the cauldron on 17 June in either Dallas or Toronto and the message is clear. No warm up acts. No gentle easing in. England are in Group L and the path is lined with Ghana and Panama after the Croatian curtain raiser. It is a group that looks kind on paper yet carries all the familiar tournament jeopardy that leaves supporters chewing their fingernails to the quick.
Up north the mood is even more feverish. Scotland are back on the World Cup stage for the first time in 28 long years and they have been handed a date with the giants of world football. Brazil await in Group C along with Morocco and Haiti. The Tartan Army begin their adventure on 13 June in Boston or New York against Haiti before marching towards a meeting with Morocco and then the mighty Brazilians. It is a group that promises colour, noise and heart stopping drama for a fan base that has been starving for this moment.
Wales or Northern Ireland could yet join the party. Either side may find themselves thrown into Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland if they can battle through not one but two rounds of Uefa play offs in March. The stakes could hardly be higher for two nations desperate to seize their place on the biggest stage of all.
The Republic of Ireland also cling to hope. Should they force their way through a brutal looking play off path they will be rewarded with a glamorous group featuring Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. A daunting trio perhaps yet a stage fit for any side brave enough to claim it.
This tournament will be unlike anything football has seen before. The first ever 48 team World Cup sprawls across Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11 June to 19 July. A month and a half of footballing chaos, giant killings, late heroics and the kind of storylines that turn unknown players into household names overnight.
Among the headline groups Mexico face South Africa and South Korea. Germany land a mixed bag with Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Belgium collide with Egypt Iran and New Zealand while Spain must navigate Cape Verde Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. France meet Senegal and Norway. Argentina share their group with Algeria Austria and Jordan while Portugal are paired with Uzbekistan and Colombia.
And then there is England. Croatia first. No excuses. No hiding places. A summer that could define a generation now lies in wait.