The stage is set for the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw, as anticipation builds for the expanded 48-team tournament to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Football fans in India are eager to know when and where they can witness the draw, which will determine the group stage paths for the participating nations. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure you don't miss out on this exciting event.
Date, Time, and Venue
The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM local time, which translates to 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Live Streaming Details in India
While there will be no live telecast of the draw on Indian television channels, fans in India can still catch all the action through live streaming. The draw will be available on the FIFA+ app and website, as well as the FIFA World Cup social media channels. These platforms will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, ensuring that fans in India can stay up-to-date with the latest developments.
Draw Format and Pots
The draw will divide the 48 qualified teams into 12 groups of four. FIFA's latest men's world rankings will be used to allocate nations into four pots. One team from each pot will be drawn into every group.
The composition of the pots is as follows:
- Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany. As hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the USA will be pre-assigned to positions B1, A1, and D1 respectively.
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European play-off teams, and two intercontinental play-off teams.
World Cup 2026 Format
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature an expanded format with 48 teams. These teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with each team playing three matches during the group stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to a new round of 32. From there, the tournament will follow a single-elimination format, including a Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, a Third-Place Match, and the Final. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The expansion to 48 teams means the total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104. For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, the finalists will play eight matches, an increase from the traditional seven.
What to Expect
The draw ceremony promises to be a star-studded event. The full schedule, venues, and match kick-off timings will be revealed on Saturday, December 6.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be a historic event, with more teams, more matches, and more opportunities for fans to witness footballing excellence. Don't miss the draw as the road to the 2026 World Cup begins!
