The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw is scheduled to take place on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This event will determine the initial group opponents for the 48 participating teams in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Draw Mechanics
The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, each consisting of four teams. The first stage of the tournament will see the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, advance to the knockout rounds.
Currently, 42 countries have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The remaining six participants will be determined through playoff matches scheduled for March.
Seeding and Rules
Prior to the draw, all qualified and placeholder teams have been distributed into four pots based on their recent FIFA rankings. Pot 1 includes top-ranked teams and the three host nations. Pot 4 contains the lowest-ranked teams, including tournament debutants such as Cape Verde, CuraƧao, and Jordan, in addition to placeholders for the yet-to-qualify teams.
Specific rules govern the draw process:
- A maximum of two European teams are permitted per group.
- Only one team from each of the other five continental confederations recognized by FIFA can be placed in a single group. For example, two African teams will not be drawn into the same group.
- To ensure top-ranked teams do not meet before the final, Spain and Argentina, the two highest-ranked teams, will be placed in groups on opposite sides of the tournament bracket. The same principle applies to France and England, ranked third and fourth, respectively.
Post-Draw Information
The specific locations and kickoff times for each team's matches across the 16 host cities will not be revealed at the draw event on Friday. These details will be announced on Saturday at a separate event. FIFA has indicated that these determinations will consider factors such such as team travel distances and favorable kickoff times for international spectators in their respective countries.
Tournament Implications
The draw outcome directly influences the progression path for participating teams. Teams generally aim to avoid being placed in groups perceived as more challenging. Historically, strong national teams, such as Germany in 2018 and 2022, and Spain in 2014, have been eliminated in the group stage. The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup, allowing the eight best third-place teams to qualify, introduces additional possibilities for advancement.
Teams to Monitor
Early projections for successful teams include Spain, England, France, Argentina, and Brazil. Additionally, CuraƧao will participate as the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, with a population exceeding 150,000. Attention will also be directed towards the group placements of the host nations. The U.S. men's national team enters the draw following an undefeated streak in its last five games.