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. The Kennedy Center provides a prestigious setting for this historic moment.
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 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Canada joins Group B and plays on June 12 in Toronto. The United States lands in Group D with their opening match also on June 12 in Los Angeles.
The draw cannot be completed fully on December 5. Six teams remain unknown because playoffs happen in March 2026. These spots will use placeholders during the ceremony.
| 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 per group, others only 1 |
| Group Format | 12 groups of 4 teams each |
List of Qualified Teams (28 of 48 Confirmed)
Host Nations (3 teams) United States, Canada and Mexico qualify automatically as tournament hosts.
Asia (8 teams) Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia secured their spots. Uzbekistan and Jordan will make their World Cup debuts.
Africa (9 teams) Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal qualified. Cape Verde celebrates their first World Cup appearance. Mohamed Salah leads Egypt back to the tournament.
South America (6 teams) Argentina defends their title. Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia join them. All six qualified directly through the tough South American campaign.
Oceania (1 team) New Zealand earned their spot after winning the OFC qualification tournament.
Europe (1 team so far) England became the first European nation to qualify. They won all six group matches. Fifteen more European teams will join them after qualifying ends in November 2025.
North and Central America (0 additional teams yet) The three host nations took the CONCACAF spots. Three more teams will qualify from this region by November 18, 2025. Twelve nations still compete for these positions.
Twenty spots remain open. European playoffs and intercontinental playoffs in March 2026 will fill these positions. (Last Update: 26/10/2025)
How Seeding Pots Will Look
Pot 1 contains the biggest names. The United States, Canada and Mexico sit here as hosts. The nine highest-ranked qualified teams join them. Spain currently leads the FIFA rankings.
Pot 2 holds the next twelve teams by FIFA ranking. Germany and France likely land in this pot.
Pot 3 includes the following twelve teams in the ranking order.
Pot 4 contains the bottom twelve teams. Six playoff winners will fill spots in this pot. The newest qualifiers and lower-ranked teams make up the rest.
FIFA will update the rankings before the draw. The October 2025 rankings determine the final pot positions.
Inter-Confederation Playoffs (March 2026)
Six teams will battle for two World Cup spots in March 2026. Each confederation except Europe sends one team. CONCACAF sends two teams.
The four lowest-ranked teams play knockout matches first. The two winners advance to face the two highest-ranked teams. The final two winners earn World Cup berths.
These matches take place in North America. The final playoff game happens on March 31, 2026. This date sits less than three months before the tournament begins.
Tournament Format & Key Information
The group stage runs for two weeks. Each team plays three matches. The tournament features 104 total matches compared to 64 in previous World Cups.
Teams reaching the final will play eight matches instead of seven. The tournament lasts 39 days from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. AT&T Stadium in Texas will host nine matches. This stands as the most for any single venue.
Where to Watch the Draw Live
FIFA will broadcast the draw ceremony worldwide. Major sports networks in each country will show the event. FIFA’s official website and app will stream the draw for free.
- FIFA.com and the official FIFA YouTube Channel (global stream)
- FOX Sports (United States)
- TSN (Canada)
- BBC and BBC iPlayer (United Kingdom)
Social media platforms will provide live coverage. Fans can follow updates on FIFA’s official channels. Many sports websites will offer live blogs and instant analysis.
2026 FIFA World Cup Draw FAQs
What time does the 2026 World Cup draw start?
The draw begins at 12:00 PM ET on December 5, 2025.
How many teams have qualified so far?
Twenty-eight teams have secured their spots. Twenty positions remain open.
Can teams from the same continent play in the same group?
Yes. The draw allows teams from the same confederation in one group.
Where will the final match take place?
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the final on July 19, 2026.
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.
Where will the final match take place?
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the final on July 19, 2026.
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.
The December 5 draw sets the stage for the biggest World Cup in history. Forty-eight nations will compete across three countries. The new format brings more matches and more excitement.
Fans worldwide will discover their team’s opponents on draw day. The road to the MetLife Stadium final begins in Washington D.C. Circle December 5 on your calendar. Soccer history happens that day.
