World Cup 2026 Draw Set for Thursday: Seedings, Qualified Teams, and Draw Procedure Revealed
Miami, FL - The stage is set for the official draw of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking place this thursday. The draw will determine the groups for the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While the game schedule will be established during the draw, specific venues and kick-off times won’t be finalized until Saturday, December 6th.
This World Cup marks a significant expansion from the traditional 32-team format.The tournament will feature 12 groups, each containing four teams, with the top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advancing too the knockout stage. The draw process is designed to ensure competitive balance and logistical considerations for the host nations.
How the Seedings Work
FIFA will utilize four pots, each containing 12 teams, based on the latest FIFA World Ranking. The draw will begin with teams from Pot 1. Co-hosts Mexico (A1), Canada (B1), and the United States (D1) will have designated positions to ensure they play a portion of their matches on home soil.
To avoid early clashes between top contenders, Spain (1st seed) and Argentina (2nd seed) have been ‘paired’ and will be placed into groups in opposite halves of the draw. Similarly, France (3rd seed) and England (4th seed) are paired, meaning they won’t meet before the semi-finals or final, if both win their respective groups.
Key Draw Rules & Restrictions
Following the placement of Pot 1 teams, the draw will continue with Pots 2, 3, and 4. A key change from previous draws is that teams will be drawn directly into groups, rather than specific positions within those groups. Seeded nations will automatically occupy position one in their group,with a pre-resolute random grid dictating the placement of other teams.
FIFA has implemented confederation restrictions to ensure group diversity. No group can contain more than one team from the same confederation, with exceptions for four groups that will include two European nations due to the continent’s 16 qualifying teams. Teams emerging from the inter-confederation play-offs also face restrictions: Pathway 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo) cannot be drawn with Concacaf or African teams, while Pathway 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq) must avoid South America, Concacaf, and Asia.
Confirmed Qualified Teams (as of June 13, 2024)
* AFC (Asia): qatar (Host), japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Iraq, Jordan
* CAF (Africa): Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa
* Concacaf (North, Central America and Caribbean): United states (Host), Canada (Host), Mexico (Host), Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica
* Conmebol (South America): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay
* OFC (Oceania): New zealand
* UEFA (Europe): England, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Denmark, Poland, Serbia, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Scotland
* Inter-Confederation Play-off Winners: TBD (6 teams)
Who Will Conduct the draw?
FIFA has not yet announced who will conduct the draw. Further details regarding the draw ceremony and broadcast facts will be released by FIFA in the coming days.
