World Cup 2026
For soccer fans in the United States, the chance to witness global stars on their home turf is no longer a distant dream. The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be the biggest spectacle the sport has ever seen, with games spread across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Among the stars expected to light up the tournament, Kylian Mbappé’s name stands out. Yet, his journey to America – and potentially to the pinnacle of the competition – hinges on the hurdles placed in front of Les Bleus, that will unfold over the next two years.
Before we dive into how Mbappé might captivate fans from New York to Los Angeles, it’s worth understanding how European nations earn their spots at the World Cup. The road to the 2026 tournament can be a tough one, even for a powerhouse like France, given the standards in the Old Continent. UEFA’s qualification process begins in March 2025, with 55 teams competing for just 16 spots. France, seeded in Pot 1 alongside other heavyweights like England, Germany, and Spain, is drawn into one of 12 groups. That draw took place on December 13, but was if a Friday 13th to forget?
The stakes are straightforward. Each group winner will secure a direct ticket to North America, while the runners-up face a far less certain future. Those second-placed teams will join the four highest-ranked Nations League group winners in a high-pressure playoff series set for March 2026. A single slip, mistimed tackle or, ahem, poorly-aimed penalty, could mean watching the tournament from home. For a player of Mbappé’s stature, that’s unthinkable.
At just 25 years old, Mbappé has already achieved feats most players only dream of: a World Cup winner’s medal (and a runners up one from the last edition), multiple Ligue 1 titles, and countless personal accolades. Yet, the idea of him dazzling fans in Seattle or scoring a breathtaking goal in Miami feels uniquely thrilling – and it’s not just because of his speed and precision on the field.
OK, given the complexities of the UEFA structure, we don’t have the definitive route for France, as it depends whether or not they beat Croatia in the Nations League quarterfinal.
That said, we can narrow it down to these two groups (being updated live):
Find out all the other group information and details of how it all works.
While Mbappé‘s immediate attention will remain on performing well for Real Madrid, he and his national teammates now know who stands between them and the 2026 World Cup. Playing in the US could elevate Kylian’s profile even further, cementing his status as a household name in a country where soccer is still carving its place among dominant sports. We can’t wait!
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About the author
Calum Roche
Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.
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