The FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup draw —which will be held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with the presence of US President Donald Trump— will have a completely renewed format. The first World Cup With 48 teams, it will use a tennis-style draw system, designed so that the best-placed teams in the FIFA ranking do not face each other until advanced stages.
The four privileged selections
Spain, Argentina, France and England, the best classified in the current ranking, will head different groups and, if they win their zones, they will not be able to meet each other until the semifinals. This means that a hypothetical Spain vs. Argentina would only be possible in the final of the tournament, scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in New York.
FIFA explains that this structure seeks to reward sustained performance and guarantee “a competitive balance” between the teams.
Main rules of the draw
12 groups of 4 teams are formed.
A maximum of two European teams per group.
No group can have two teams from the same confederation (except Europe).
The hosts United States, Mexico and Canada are included among the seeds.
Teams with diplomatic tensions with the US, such as Iran or Haiti, will play where they have to, without exceptions.
Qualified teams and remaining places
There are 42 teams already classified. The remaining six places will come from:
Four winners of the European playoffs (March 2026).
Two winners of the intercontinental playoffs.
Among the possible teams in pot 4 is Italy, which could be one of the most dangerous rivals despite coming from the group of the worst positioned.
Pots of the 2026 World Cup draw
Bass Drum 1
Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, United States, Mexico, Canada.
Drum 2
Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
Drum 3
Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
Bass Drum 4
Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European playoff winner 1-4, Intercontinental playoff winner 1-2.
