The eagerly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on December 5, 2023, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM local time (5:00 PM GMT, 4:00 AM AEST on December 6), and will establish the groups for the expanded tournament, which features 48 teams for the first time.
The draw will follow a ceremony filled with speeches and performances, celebrating the spirit of football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to discuss the unifying power of the sport. As part of the event, FIFA will also award a peace prize to an individual recognized for their efforts in promoting peace, which has raised eyebrows given the rumored recipient.
How the Draw Works
The participating teams will be divided into four pots, each containing 12 teams. Pot 1 includes the three co-hosts—USA, Mexico, and Canada—as well as the nine highest-ranked teams according to the current FIFA rankings. Teams in the subsequent pots have been allocated based on their rankings, with the least-ranked teams positioned in Pot 4.
The draw process will see one team selected from each pot to form 12 groups. Notably, six qualification spots remain to be filled through playoffs scheduled for late March 2024. Teams engaged in these playoffs will be placed in Pot 4, potentially leading to surprises. For instance, should Italy qualify through the European playoffs, they would enter as one of the more formidable teams despite being placed in the lowest pot.
There are stipulations regarding group composition. Teams from the same qualifying confederation cannot be drawn together, with the exception of European teams, of which there will be a maximum of two per group. Furthermore, the top four FIFA-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—will be kept apart until the semi-finals, assuming they win their respective groups.
Current Qualified Teams
As of now, 42 teams have confirmed their places in the tournament. Here is the current breakdown of teams by pot:
– **Pot 1**: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
– **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, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European playoff teams, and two intercontinental playoff teams.
The upcoming playoff matches will determine the final spots for the tournament. In Europe, teams like Wales and Italy will compete, while intercontinental playoffs will see Jamaica facing New Caledonia for a chance to compete against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speculation is already rife regarding potential “Groups of Death,” where strong teams could face off early in the tournament. For example, a group containing Argentina, Morocco, Italy, and Norway would feature teams ranked highly in the world.
The draw will be broadcast on various platforms. FIFA’s official website and its YouTube channel will provide livestream coverage, while networks like the BBC in the UK, Fox in the US, and SBS in Australia will air the event.
In conclusion, the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to build, with the draw serving as a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026. The final match is expected to take place on July 19 in New Jersey, setting the stage for a memorable summer of football.