Excitement Builds as FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Unveiled in D.C.

The much-anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 draw has commenced today, Friday, December 5, at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Football enthusiasts around the globe are excitedly looking forward to the disclosure of group allocations, match schedules, and initial forecasts for a tournament poised to become the largest in World Cup history.

For the first time ever, the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 competing nations, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The participants will be divided into 12 groups of four (Groups A through L), with the top nine ranked teams and the three host nations in Pot 1. Mexico will be placed in Group A, Canada in Group B, and the USA in Group D.

The preliminary rounds have secured spots for the top 11 FIFA-ranked teams, while Italy, currently ranked 12th, is among 21 teams scheduled to battle it out for the remaining six playoff slots on March 31.

Pot 1 includes Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In Pot 2, you'll find Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia. Pot 3 comprises Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and South Africa, while Pot 4 includes Jordan, Cape Verde, Curacao, Ghana, Haiti, New Zealand, plus the winners of four European playoffs and two intercontinental playoffs.

The tournament will feature a novel expanded round-robin phase, where each team will engage in three group matches. The top two teams from every group will automatically progress to the knockout stage, in addition to the eight best third-ranked teams. This innovative format introduces a 32-team elimination round, promising a longer and more exhilarating knockout experience compared to previous formats.

The draw ceremony is poised to capture global interest, with notable attendees including former U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be an extraordinary event as football prepares for its grandest stage yet.