1. Did Italy qualify for the World Cup 2026?

Italy did not qualify, losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw in the March 2026 play-off and missing a third straight World Cup.

2. Which nations are making their World Cup debut in 2026?

Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan all reach the World Cup for the first time in 2026.

3. When are the Group I matches played?

Group I runs from 16 to 26 June 2026, opening with France against Senegal and closing with Norway against France.

4. Who are the lowest-ranked teams at the World Cup 2026?

New Zealand, Haiti and Curaçao are among the lowest-ranked qualified nations in the April 2026 world ranking.

5. How can I get tickets for a group match if I missed the ballot?

Verified resale marketplaces such as 1BoxOffice list group-stage tickets for buyers unsuccessful in the primary draw, each order covered by a 150% money-back guarantee.

The best marketplace for live event tickets since 2006. Every order is 150% guaranteed. Prices may differ from face value.

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Football World Cup

World Cup 2026 Groups of Death, Ranked

France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. England and Croatia in Group L. We rank every World Cup 2026 group from brutal to breezy. Which is toughest?

ADAdam DedmanUpdated 6 June 2026/6 min read

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Written by

Adam Dedman

Football fanatic, enthusiast and self-proclaimed specialist, I breathe the sport. Here to cover the beautiful game’s facts and stories, even giving my own takes surrounding everything football.