World Cup 2026: BBC Mundo analysis of the draw for the Latin American and Spanish teams

In principle, Mexico’s presence in the top seed was an advantage thanks to its home position. This, in theory, ensures he avoids the big players.

But South Africa and South Korea are not small rivals.

South Africa arrives with a competitive generation. They finished first in their group in the African qualifiers, beating Nigeria. His style, which relies more on physical strength than technique, can put Mexico in trouble, and they usually suffer against teams that press.

In 2010, when South Africa hosted, it opened the tournament against Mexico. They tied 1-1. Now, 16 years later, this equation is repeated at the Azteca Stadium.

For its part, South Korea is an uncomfortable team for any team: physical, fast, disciplined and with extensive World Cup experience. They eliminated Germany in 2018. They are a team that usually raises their level in big tournaments. Mexico must work to prevent quick transitions and avoid tactical chaos.

The fourth team in the group is scheduled to be determined in the European Union qualifiers.

José Carlos Cueto, BBC Mundo correspondent in Colombia

Heavy rain in Bogotá did not stop Jorge Uribe and Roberto Acosta from getting together and drinking a few beers to see how Colombia fares in the 2026 World Cup draw.

The South American national team, runner-up in the last Copa America, will face Portugal, Uzbekistan and another competitor to be determined in the qualifiers.

“The group is affordable, even though Portugal is the favourite,” says Acosta. “We have passed the group.”

The enthusiasm for Colombia’s Nestor Lorenzo, who has managed to add 25 matches without losing, is palpable in the streets of the country.

“Colombia can beat anyone, but you have to play,” says Johan Sy, joining the conversation.

The feeling is that they are ready for something bigger than they have dreamed of in decades.

They rub their hands as they watch Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez lead a colorful, organized and entertaining team.

José Carlos Cueto, BBC World

Ecuador did their job well, finishing second in the World Cup standings, and the draw on Friday gave them a qualifying group to advance to the next stage.

They will face Germany, Curacao and Ivory Coast.

It won’t be easy, but with the new system in which the top two and best eight teams pass third, a place in the next stage should be more than possible for La Tri.

The key will be to maintain the solidity of their defence, having only conceded five goals in qualifying, but also increasing their goalscoring output, under the weight of a worrying drought in recent months.

Of the five World Cups it has participated in, Ecuador has only progressed past the group stage in Germany 2006. Twenty years later, it has a golden opportunity to at least equal the record.

Anna Paice, BBC World, Southern Cone

After days of speculation and hypothetical scenarios, Uruguay received the worst news: their group was Group H, which includes Spain, the team with the highest FIFA ranking.

But then the bucket of cold water arrived Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, rivals who were celebrated as targets.

Although Marcelo Bielsa’s side are having a tough time, Uruguay’s extensive footballing tradition should be enough to see off both teams.

For now, Celestial fans continue to hold their calculators in their hands. Because in addition to speculation about possible matches (will they face Uruguay and Argentina?), they will have to wait until next Saturday to find out the days, times and locations in which the team will play. Only then will it be possible to know the duration of flights, temperatures in each city or the altitude meters of the headquarters.

The math game is just beginning for the celestial planets.

Atahualpa Amérez, BBC World

It will not be easy for Spain, ranked number one in the FIFA rankings and favorites to win the tournament, to achieve first place in Group H to ensure an easier path to the final.

They will have to face the always combative Uruguay, in an unprecedented match in modern World Cup history that also presents itself as one of the most interesting matches of the preliminary stage.

For the rest, the first round appears to be within reach. With stars such as Lamine Yamal, Baena, Cucurella, Pedri and Mikel Merino, the Spanish national team, the European champion, will also face Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, the two teams hoping to pull off a surprise in the group.

One forecasting model, Opta’s “supercomputer”, gives Spain a 17% chance of winning the 2026 World Cup, more than any other country.

It remains to be seen whether his preferred title is confirmed on the pitch.

Anna Paice, BBC World, Southern Cone

Paraguay will start the 2026 World Cup with the stands opposite. Their first match will be on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in California against the United States.

The other two rivals are Australia, a team as fierce as the Perugia itself, and a third team that will be decided between Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.

Paraguay should move forward.

Especially after its great rating. It is often said that CONMEBOL qualifiers are the most competitive in the world, and Paraguay’s arrival at the World Cup is excellent evidence of that.

They had not played in a World Cup for 16 years and were the last team to qualify directly, finishing sixth in the table. But they achieved it with 28 points, the same amount collected by Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil, located in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

The achievement is even greater if we take into account that Alberoja changed coaches three times. Now, with Argentine Gustavo Alvaro at the helm, Paraguay arrive keen to show why they deserve their place in the cup.

Daniel Pardo Vigalara, BBC World

Panama is, in principle, the least favorite in one of the most competitive groups. But, before getting into the challenges, let’s agree that Panama reaches its second World Cup finals with high hopes: it qualified first in its group, kept its record unbeaten with three wins and three draws, and secured its place with a crushing 3-0 win over El Salvador.

Panama will first face England, one of the favourites, because it arrives with a golden generation whose great personalities seem to understand each other.

The challenge facing Panama was to control the intensity and speed of the English without losing tactical control.

Then their rivals will be Croatia, who, although no longer enjoying the golden generation of 2018, maintain a strict and patient football, punishing every mistake and knowing how to manage the timing of the match, something that can complicate teams with less World Cup experience.

The direct classification, with first place in its group, raised the expectations of the team that seeks to rid itself of exclusion from the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and its absence from the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

It is difficult for the Panamanians, but they have something they can do.

José Carlos Cueto, BBC World

Brazil will reach 2026 just 24 years after winning their last World Cup.

They will play in their group against Scotland, Haiti and Morocco, which is their strongest points, especially after their surprise fourth-place finish at Qatar 2022.

The group, in theory, is easy to shake off bad feelings for the rankings, with Brazil coming in fifth.

He comes with one of the best possible reinforcements, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most successful coaches in history.

Under his leadership he has stars like Vinicius Junior or Rafinha and young promises like Estévão, who experts are hailing as a next generation talent.

Brazil is never short of stars, but in recent decades they have lacked solidity. With Ancelotti they seem to be in good hands.

Bolivia is the only team in Latin America that still has a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, if it wins both of its qualifying matches.

FIFA has organized a match between six teams from five continental confederations (excluding UEFA, which has its own tie) which will compete for two tickets to the World Cup.

On the other hand, New Caledonia will face Jamaica in the semi-finals. The winner of this tie will play against the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a place.

On the other hand, Bolivia will face Suriname in the semi-finals. The winner will face Iraq for the other place in the World Cup.

These matches were decided by a draw through which two teams were placed directly into the final.

The matches will be held in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey from March 23 to 31, 2026.

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