Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw
When and Where the Draw Takes Place
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is scheduled for Friday, December 5 at 12 p.m. ET. The event will be hosted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This draw marks the first time a 48-team format is used, expanding from the traditional 32-team field.
How to Watch the Live Stream
- TV Channel: Fox
- Live Stream: Fubo (free trial available)
- Alternate Coverage: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Soccer fans worldwide can tune into the draw on Fox or stream it live on Fubo. For real-time analysis and reaction, the CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide expert commentary.
Draw Format and Seeding Procedure
The draw’s primary objective is to allocate the 48 teams into 12 groups of four, ensuring competitive balance and regional diversity.
Host Nation Placements
- Mexico: Placed in Group A (position A1)
- Canada: Placed in Group B (position B1)
- United States: Placed in Group D (position D1)
Pots and Seedings
Teams are distributed across four pots based on FIFA rankings and continental representation. Pot 1 includes the three hosts plus the nine highest-ranked teams. Pots 2 through 4 will fill out the remaining slots, with the final six berths determined by UEFA playoffs and an inter-confederation tournament in March 2026.
Confederation Restrictions
No group can contain more than one team from the same confederation, except UEFA, which is allowed two pairs of European teams per group. This rule ensures geographic diversity and fairness across all groups.
Star-Studded Hosts and Special Guests
The draw ceremony will feature high-profile football legends and entertainment acts. Former athletes such as Eli Manning, Tom Brady, and Shaquille O’Neal will be in attendance. Political leaders from the host nations—including Donald Trump, Mark Carney, and Claudia Sheinbaum—will participate alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Entertainment will be provided by Andrea Bocelli, Village People, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger, with Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and Danny Ramirez serving as masters of ceremonies.
Qualified Teams at a Glance
As of the draw date, 42 of the 48 spots are secured. The remaining six will be decided through playoff matches in March 2026.
Co-Hosts
- United States
- Mexico
- Canada
By Confederation
- AFC: Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
- Concacaf: Haiti, Curaçao, Panama
- OFC: New Zealand
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay
- CAF: Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
- UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, Belgium
World Cup Pots Breakdown
- Pot 1: Hosts (USA, Mexico, Canada) plus 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, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand plus six playoff winners
World Cup Playoffs Schedule
All playoff matches will take place during the March 2026 international break. UEFA playoffs run from March 26 to March 31, while the inter-confederation tournament occurs between March 23 and March 31 in Mexico at Estadio Akron (Guadalajara) and Estadio BBVA (Monterrey).
Inter-Confederation Playoffs Paths
- Path 1: New Caledonia vs. Jamaica; winner faces DR Congo
- Path 2: Bolivia vs. Suriname; winner faces Iraq
European Playoffs Paths
- Path A: Italy vs. Northern Ireland and Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Path B: Ukraine vs. Sweden and Poland vs. Albania
- Path C: Turkey vs. Romania and Slovakia vs. Kosovo
- Path D: Denmark vs. North Macedonia and Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland
Next Steps: Final Match Schedule Reveal
Following the draw, FIFA will unveil the detailed match schedule in a live global broadcast on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET from Washington, D.C. The finalized calendar—released in March after the playoffs—will optimize kickoff times across different time zones and ensure fans worldwide can watch their teams in action.