Algeria, Canada and Belgium, among the most affected

The match schedule, originally launched in February 2024 and subsequently amended, has been designed to optimize player recovery, global exposure and fan comfort.

FIFA tried to reduce the distances, but not all teams were so lucky

Average temperatures, medical and transport infrastructure, but also time zone differences were taken into account. However, the draw showed that some teams will be forced to do true “air tours”, with thousands of kilometers covered in just a few days.

Algeria is one of the most disadvantaged nations from this point of view. The “Fennecs” will play between San Francisco and Kansas City, which means a distance of 4,840 km.

However, the unluckiest selected will be a European one, namely the winner of stage A (Italy, Wales, Bosnia or Northern Ireland), which will travel no less than 5,040 km (between Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle). Below are the countries with the longest routes:

• UEFA Play-off A (Italy, Wales, Bosnia or Northern Ireland): 5,040 km in two flights (Toronto → Los Angeles → Seattle);

• Algeria: 4,840 km in two flights (Kansas City → San Francisco → Kansas City);

• UEFA Play-off D (Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Ireland, Denmark): 4,526 km in two flights (Guadalajara → Atlanta → Mexico City);

• South Africa: 3,936 km in two flights (Mexico City → Atlanta → Monterrey);

• FIFA Play-off 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo): 3,657 km in two flights (Houston → Guadalajara → Atlanta);

• Ecuador: 3,425 km in two flights (Philadelphia → Kansas City → New York);

• Canada: 3,359 km in two flights (Toronto → Vancouver);

• Belgium: 3,285 km in two flights (Seattle → Los Angeles → Vancouver);

• Austria: 3,114 km in two flights (San Francisco → Dallas → Kansas City);

• US: 3,091 km in two flights (Los Angeles → Seattle → Los Angeles).

Senegal, France and Argentina benefit from the shortest distances

At the opposite pole, the teams that pulled the “long stick” are Senegal, France and the defending champion Argentina.

Senegal: 550 km between New York and Toronto;
France: 565 km between New York, Philadelphia and Boston;
Argentine: 730 km between Kansas City and Dallas.

With a flight of around 2,366 kilometers, Spain will travel only once, but over a much longer distance. As for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will travel approximately 1,556 kilometers between Houston and Miami.

Key facts about the 2026 World Cup:

• The first edition in history with 48 teams;

• Hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada;

• It will take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026;

• There will be 12 groups of 4 teams each;

• The first two in each group qualify further, plus the best 8 third places;

• It will have 104 matches in 38 days, thus becoming the longest World Championship in history.

All 2026 World Cup groups:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Play-off D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Ireland);

• Group B: Canada, UEFA Play-off A (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia), Qatar, Switzerland;

• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland;

• Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Play-off C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo);

• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador;

• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Play-off B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania), Tunisia

• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand;

• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde Islands, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay;

• Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Play-off 2 (Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname), Norway;

• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan;

• Group K: Portugal, FIFA Play-off 1 (New Caledonia, DR Congo, Jamaica), Uzbekistan, Colombia;

• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.