Washington, D.C. – The stage is set for the grandest FIFA World Cup in history, as the draw for the 2026 edition took place today at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.. Football fans around the globe tuned in with bated breath to discover the group stage paths for the 48 participating nations. This marks the first time ever that 48 teams will compete in the FIFA World Cup, an increase from the previous 32-team format.
The 2026 tournament will be hosted jointly by three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This historic event will unfold from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities. Eleven cities in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada will welcome teams and fans from around the world.
The draw ceremony, a star-studded event, was attended by dignitaries, football legends, and celebrities. Among the notable personalities were FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. The draw was conducted by former England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, with assistance from celebrity guests including Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, and Wayne Gretzky.
The 48 teams were allocated into 12 groups of four, with each group containing one team from each of the four seeding pots. The pots were determined based on the latest FIFA men's world rankings. As co-hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the United States were automatically placed in Pot 1, alongside the nine highest-ranked teams in the world. Mexico was assigned to Group A, Canada to Group B, and the United States to Group D.
To ensure geographical balance, FIFA implemented rules to prevent more than one team from the same confederation being drawn into a group, with the exception of Europe. Due to its larger number of qualified teams, up to two European teams are permitted per group. Furthermore, the four highest-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—were separated in the draw to avoid them meeting before the semi-finals.
As of the draw, 42 of the 48 World Cup berths have been confirmed. The final six entrants will be decided in March 2026 through European play-off brackets and an inter-confederation knockout series. The winners of these play-offs, or placeholders, will be assigned to Pot 4 for the draw.
The expansion to 48 teams means a revised tournament format. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new Round of 32. From there, the tournament will proceed with a knockout format until the final. A total of 104 matches will be played, a significant increase from the 64 matches in the 2022 edition.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be a historic and unforgettable event. With more teams, more matches, and three host nations, this tournament is set to break records in attendance, viewership, and global reach. The draw marks the official commencement of the countdown to the world's greatest football spectacle.
