The FIFA World Cup draw is an occasion that comes round solely as soon as each 4 years – however it will probably do a lot to find out a soccer nation’s morale heading into the game’s most prestigious world competitors.
The 2026 tournament – to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico – incorporates a document 48 groups, with this draw including a number of new tweaks to unfold out the contenders from the pretenders.
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Right here is all that you must know earlier than the all-important little plastic balls are allotted to their pots:
When and the place is the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw?
The draw will start on the John F Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Friday, December 5, at 12 midday (17:00 GMT).
How does the World Cup draw work?
The draw will start with Pot 1 and the 12 seeded groups, as decided by FIFA, being drawn into Teams A to L. These groups comprise:
- High four-ranked nations: Spain, Argentina, France and England
- Subsequent 5 best-seeded nations: Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal
- Three seeded spots allotted to the host nations: Canada, Mexico and USA
The method will then proceed with Pots 2, 3, and 4, in that order, FIFA defined.
Six extra World Cup spots stay to be stuffed among the many 22 nations nonetheless in competition through the playoffs in March.
Italy, four-time World Cup winners and twelfth within the FIFA rankings, are within the playoffs and will discover themselves in Pot 4 in the event that they qualify.
Debutants Uzbekistan are in Pot 3, whereas fellow first-timers Jordan, Cape Verde and Curacao are in Pot 4.
What are the foundations of the World Cup draw?
Every nation’s title is printed on a slip of paper, which is then folded and positioned inside a plastic ball numbered 1 to 4 to signify one of many 4 pots.
Draw representatives combine up the balls in massive glass bowls (pots) – after which extract one ball at a time from every pot to type the teams.
The three host nations have predetermined teams: Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B, and USA in Group D.
The opposite prime 9 FIFA-seeded nations might be unfold throughout the remaining 9 teams: C, E, F, G, H, I, J, Ok, and L.
There may be much less certainty for the remaining 36 groups, however particular guidelines do apply:
- In precept, no group could have multiple workforce from the identical confederation drawn into it.
- UEFA groups, which comprise 16 nations, are the exception to the rule – as much as two European groups might be drawn into the identical group.
When can the highest seeds play one another on the World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup draw rewards the 4 highest-ranked groups – Spain, Argentina, France and England – who might be positioned in separate sections, or quadrants, of a brand new tennis-style seeded event bracket.
FIFA stated the highest 4 nations, in the event that they end prime of their respective round-robin teams, will keep away from one another till the semifinals.
Defending champions Argentina (No 2 ranked) with Lionel Messi and top-ranked European champions Spain (No 1 ranked) with Lamine Yamal, subsequently, can guarantee they don’t meet till the ultimate at MetLife Stadium close to New York.
Which different groups are within the pots?
Forty-two of the 48 groups have now certified for the World Cup, with the remaining six nations to be decided in March 2026.
Groups might be randomly drawn from every of the 4 pots and assigned to one of many 12 teams in Friday’s draw:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany (three host nations and 9 top-seeded)
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European playoff winners A, B, C and D, Intercontinental playoff winners 1 and a pair of
Why is Iran boycotting the World Cup draw?
Iran has determined to boycott the World Cup draw as a result of the US denied visas to members of its delegation, the state-run IRNA information company reported on Friday.
The company quoted Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi as saying that officers confronted visa obstacles that transcend sporting issues.
There was no quick remark from the White Home.
Alavi stated the federation had reached out to FIFA and hoped it might assist resolve the problem.
President Donald Trump’s administration introduced in June a journey ban on residents from 12 international locations, together with Iran, though exemptions have been promised for “any athlete or member of an athletic workforce, together with coaches, individuals performing a obligatory assist position, and quick family members, touring for the World Cup, Olympics, or different main sporting occasion as decided by the secretary of state”.
It’s unclear whether or not the exemptions additionally apply to the World Cup draw.
How you can watch
Reside protection of the 2026 World Cup draw might be offered on FIFA.com and the FIFA World Cup social media channels. The draw can even be broadcast by FIFA’s media companions.
Al Jazeera Sport will present dwell textual content commentary of the draw.
