Archive · 25 Nov 2025
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw Procedure Announced
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw will happen on December 5, 2025, in Washington DC.
This is the first time the World Cup will have 48 teams, so there will be 12 groups of four teams each.
The host countries Canada, Mexico, and the USA will be in Pot 1, along with the top 9 teams based on the FIFA Men's World Ranking.
The other teams will be in Pots 2, 3, and 4.
The draw will make sure that the best teams don't meet too early in the tournament.
There are also special rules to make sure the groups are fair and balanced.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw will take place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.
The tournament will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, with the host countries Canada, Mexico, and the USA in Pot 1.
Teams will be allocated to pots based on the FIFA Men's World Ranking issued on November 19, 2025, with the top 12 teams in Pot 1.
The draw will ensure competitive balance by preventing the top-ranked teams from meeting before the final and limiting the number of teams from the same confederation in each group.
The two FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament placeholders and the four European play-off placeholders will be allocated to Pot 4.
- Who
- FIFA, coaches, and officials from qualified teams and those still in contention
- What
- Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026
- When
- Friday, December 5, 2025
- Where
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC
- Why
- To determine the composition of the 12 groups of four teams each for the tournament
- Event
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw
- Date
- Friday, December 5, 2025
- Location
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC
- Number of Teams
- 48
- Number of Groups
- 12
- Host Countries
- Canada, Mexico, USA
- Pot 1 Teams
- Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
- Pot 4 Placeholders
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament, European Play-Off A, B, C, D