FOXBORO — Most of the nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico, Canada and the United States next June, learned their group stage fate on Friday afternoon, as the world soccer governing body held the tournament’s final draw at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

An expanded World Cup field — it’s now 48 countries, up from 32 — means better odds of advancing from the group stage and into the knockout rounds, and potentially bigger gaps in quality between favorites and the brunt of the pack. Yet many World Cup Draw traditions endured: there appears to be a Group of Death, tournament debutants will have to jump (high), and every host city will be privy to high quality matchups.

The United States men’s national team was drawn into Group D with Paraguay, which they’ll play in their first game, and Australia. The group’s fourth and final team will be one of Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo, or Turkey, determined via a playoff tournament in March. FIFA will confirm the start times and matches for each host city during a special broadcast Saturday.

USA look

While the status of the Group D’s fourth team is up in the air, the Americans will feel confident with where they stand, especially as co-hosts. While no entry, not even a debutant, should be underestimated under the lens of World Cup competition, the U.S. will go into each of their group stage games as favorites.

Australia is a wildcard and has a tendency to step up in big moments, even when falling short. The Socceroos have reached the World Cup round of 16 twice and came close to interrupting Italy’s championship run in 2006. The U.S. is 2-1-1 all-time against Australia.

Paraguay, the last team to qualify automatically from CONMEBOL, will compete in its first World Cup since 2010, and brings immense midfield depth paced by Miguel Almiron, formerly of Newcastle United and currently in the MLS. The U.S. is 2-2-1 all-time against Paraguay.

The Americans have never exceeded the quarterfinals — at least not since placing third in 1930. As hosts, and with a golden generation of talent playing in Europe, as well as a growing domestic league, the U.S. has high hopes going into next summer. In fact, reaching the quarterfinals may be the minimum expectation.

Potential NE teams

Gillette Stadium, which will be renamed World Cup Stadium Boston for the duration of the tournament, will host matches from Groups C, I, and L, plus one round of 32 match and one quarterfinal. While FIFA will confirm Foxboro’s games on Saturday, the draw appears to be tailor-made for a New England audience.

Group C is headed by Brazil, followed by Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti — four nations with immense immigrant populations and followings across the Boston area. Hosting Brazil would potentially be a jewel in Boston’s hosting crown, as the nation is the most successful in World Cup history with five titles.

Group I appears to be the Group of Death, headed by runners-up and 2018 champions France, plus dark horses Norway and Senegal. The group’s final spot will go to Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname. France brings arguably the most complete squad in the tournament, headed by star striker Kylian Mbappe. Norway boast the talents of hulking striker Erling Haaland, and carry momentum after going 8-0-0 in World Cup qualification.

Group L is headed by England, last winners in 1966, followed by Croatia, Panama and Ghana. England is ranked fourth and carries a massive global fan base thanks to a litany of star players and the relevance of the English Premier League.

Local favorites, dark horses

Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history by almost every metric, including the one that counts most: its five titles are the most all-time. Yet, the Selecao seem to be in an unfamiliar spot. Brazil finished fifth in South American qualification, well below their lofty expectations.

Portugal looks to be in the driver’s seat of Group K. Cristiano Ronaldo may be approaching 41, but he’s proved almost indispensable to his country. He played in all but one qualifier, scoring five goals, and is surrounded by a robust cast.

Cape Verde will play in its first World Cup, while Haiti returns for the first time since 1974. Both nations are seen as underdogs, but have several technical and tactically-strong players whom group peers should not take lightly.

Italy has not qualified for this World Cup, but remains in contention. The Azzurri need to get past Northern Ireland, and then either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, to get into the tournament and avoid a third consecutive failure to qualify for the main event. Should the Italians qualify, they will be in Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. Despite a decline in results in recent years, the Azzurri remain a world soccer power and will carry a massive target on their backs.

Defending champions Argentina, with Lionel Messi and a stacked roster of stars, will draw enormous attention, as will 2010 champions Spain. Every World Cup seems to feature a team that comes out of nowhere and catches lightning in a bottle, unleashing a deep run. Four years ago it was Morocco. In 2018, it was Croatia. In 2014, it was Costa Rica.

Depth and resilience go a long way in the World Cup. Spain and Argentina lost the opening game in the tournaments they won, but shrugged it off and were ultimately unstoppable the rest of the way. Germany and Italy suffered early missteps in their championship campaigns, but had the fortitude to keep on trucking.