2026 FIFA World Cup Draw: Date, Time, Venue & Qualified Teams
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the biggest tournament ever. This year brings 48 teams instead of the usual 32. Three countries will host the event together for the first time. The United States, Canada and Mexico will welcome the world’s best soccer nations.
The draw ceremony will decide which teams play against each other. Fans around the globe wait for this moment. The groups will shape the path to glory for every nation.
2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw Date, Time & Venue Details
Mark your calendars for December 5, 2025. The draw takes place at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The ceremony starts at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
President Donald Trump will attend the event alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. People in different time zones can plan ahead. West Coast fans should tune in at 9:00 AM Pacific Time. European viewers can watch at 5:00 PM GMT.
Understanding the New Draw Format & How It Works
The tournament expands from 32 to 48 teams. FIFA created 12 groups with 4 teams in each group. Every team plays three matches in the group stage.
The top two teams from each group move forward. The eight best third-place teams also advance. This creates a Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history.
The draw uses four pots based on FIFA rankings. Pot 1 holds the three host nations plus the nine highest-ranked qualified teams. Pots 2, 3 and 4 contain the remaining teams in ranking order.
FIFA already placed the host nations in specific groups. Mexico goes to Group A and plays the opening match on June 11. Canada joins Group B. The United States lands in Group D.
FIFA introduced a major change this year. The top four ranked teams will follow a tennis-style bracket system. Spain and Argentina sit at opposite ends of the draw. France and England also go to opposite sides. These four powerhouses cannot meet until the semifinals if they win their groups.
| Rule Type | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pots | 4 pots of 12 teams based on FIFA Rankings |
| Hosts | Mexico (A1), Canada (B1), USA (D1) pre-assigned |
| Confederation Rule | Max 2 UEFA teams per group, all other confederations max 1 |
| Group Format | 12 groups of 4 teams each |
| Top 4 Seeding | Spain, Argentina, France, England separated until semifinals |
List of Qualified Teams (42 of 48 Confirmed)
Forty-two teams have secured their spots. Six positions remain open until March 2026.
- Host Nations: United States, Canada, Mexico
- Asia (8 teams): Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Jordan
- Africa (9 teams): Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Cape Verde, Ghana
- South America (6 teams): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay
- Oceania (1 team): New Zealand
- Europe (12 of 16 teams): Spain, France, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria, Scotland, Norway
- North and Central America (3 teams): Panama, Curaçao, Haiti
Curaçao makes history as the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup with just 156,000 people. Haiti returns after 52 years. Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan celebrate their first World Cup appearances.
How Seeding Pots will look
FIFA released the official pots based on rankings from November 19, 2025.
Pot 1: United States, Canada, Mexico, 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, plus four European playoff winners and two intercontinental playoff winners
Remaining Playoff Spots (March 2026)
Six teams will join the tournament through playoffs in March 2026. Europe decides four spots through playoff paths. The intercontinental playoffs fill the final two positions.
Sixteen European teams compete across four paths. Italy, Wales, Ukraine, Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Denmark and Czechia lead their respective paths. All matches finish by March 31, 2026.
Six teams battle in the intercontinental playoffs held in Mexico. New Caledonia faces Jamaica while Bolivia meets Suriname in the semifinals. DR Congo and Iraq wait as top seeds in the finals.
Key Draw Rules You Need to Know
Teams from the same confederation cannot meet in the group stage. One major exception exists. Europe has 16 qualified teams. Four groups will contain two European teams. No other confederation can place two teams in the same group.
The draw pulls one team from each pot for every group. This creates balanced competition across all 12 groups.
What We Get on December 5, 2025
The draw ceremony reveals all 12 group stage matchups. Every qualified team discovers their three group opponents. Fans worldwide will see which teams face each other in the opening round.
The complete tournament bracket takes shape on draw day. Teams learn their potential path to the final. The knockout stage structure becomes clear with all pathways mapped out.
FIFA releases the full match schedule on December 6, 2025. Every game gets a stadium assignment and kick-off time. Fans can start planning trips and booking tickets after the announcement.
Where to Watch the World Cup Final Draw Live
FIFA will broadcast the draw ceremony worldwide. Major sports networks in each country will show the event.
- Global: FIFA.com and FIFA YouTube Channel
- United States: FOX Sports, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo
- Canada: TSN United Kingdom: BBC and BBC iPlayer
Pre-show coverage begins around 10:00 AM ET. Experts will discuss possible matchups and predict group outcomes.
2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw FAQs
What time does the 2026 World Cup draw start?
The draw begins at 12:00 PM ET on December 5, 2025. West Coast viewers should tune in at 9:00 AM PT. European fans can watch at 5:00 PM GMT.
How many teams have qualified so far?
Forty-two teams have secured their spots. Six positions remain open until March 2026. European playoffs and intercontinental playoffs will fill these spots.
Can teams from the same continent play in the same group?
No group can have more than one team from the same confederation. Europe provides the only exception. Four groups will contain two European teams because 16 European nations qualified.
Where will the WC final match take place?
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the final on July 19, 2026. The stadium sits in East Rutherford across the river from New York City.
What makes 2026 different from past World Cups?
The tournament grows to 48 teams with 12 groups. Three nations host together for the first time. A Round of 32 replaces the traditional Round of 16. The top four seeds cannot meet until the semifinals.
When will we know all 48 teams?
March 31, 2026 marks the final qualification date. European playoffs and intercontinental playoffs finish that day. Less than three months separate the final qualifier and tournament kickoff.
Which teams are favorites to win?
Spain leads the FIFA rankings heading into the draw. Argentina defends their 2022 title. France, England and Brazil bring star power. Many experts pick these five as the top contenders.
How does the new bracket system work?
Spain and Argentina go to opposite sides of the draw. France and England also split to different sides. These four teams cannot meet until the semifinals. This only applies if they win their groups.
The December 5 draw sets the stage for the biggest World Cup in history. Forty-eight nations will compete across three countries. Fans worldwide will discover their team’s opponents on draw day. Circle December 5 on your calendar because soccer history happens that day.
