The highly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is set to take place on Friday, December 5, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.. Football fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting this event to discover the paths their favorite national teams will take in the quest for the World Cup trophy.
Draw Details
The draw ceremony will commence at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT, 5 p.m. GMT). The President of the United States, Donald Trump, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are expected to attend the event. This draw will determine the composition of the twelve groups of four teams that will compete in the group stage.
The Format
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion, featuring 48 teams for the first time. These teams will be divided into 12 groups, with each group consisting of four nations. The top two finishers in each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. From that point on, the tournament will proceed with a knockout format, including a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.
Seeding and Pots
To ensure a balanced and competitive group stage, the 48 participating teams will be allocated into four different pots. The United States, Canada, and Mexico, as the host nations, will be placed in Pot 1, alongside the nine qualified nations with the highest FIFA world rankings. The remaining teams will be distributed into Pots 2, 3, and 4 based on their FIFA rankings. During the draw, one team will be selected from each pot to form a group.
Geographic Restrictions
To maintain diversity and avoid potential rematches from the qualifying stages, certain geographic restrictions will be in place. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same group, with the exception of UEFA (Europe). Given the large number of European representatives (16 teams), a maximum of two UEFA teams can be drawn into a single group.
Qualified Teams
As of October 15, 2025, 28 countries have already secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, including the three host nations: United States, Canada, and Mexico. Other qualified teams include:
- Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Africa (CAF): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- Oceania (OFC): New Zealand
- Europe (UEFA): England
The remaining 20 spots will be filled through ongoing qualification processes and inter-confederation play-offs, which will be finalized in March 2026.
Inter-Confederation Play-offs
The inter-confederation play-offs will feature six teams from five of the six FIFA confederations (UEFA excluded), competing for the final two spots in the World Cup. This play-off tournament is scheduled to take place in North America in March 2026.
The Road to 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a global spectacle, with matches held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will kick off on June 11 at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Football fans can anticipate a thrilling and unprecedented World Cup experience.
