How the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw works with 48 teams in the fray

Along with the 2 top teams who will qualify from each of the 12 groups, the eight best third-placed sides (based on points, goal difference etc) will also make it to the Round of 32.

After the tournament starts, these 32 teams will qualify from these groups and then proceed to the single-elimination knockout rounds. For example, after the group stage, there will be a Round of 32, then a Round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals and then the final.

So, how does the draw work with an unprecedented 48 teams set to take part this time around? We explain.

The FIFA World Cup draw

The exercise is similar to how the Champions League draw takes place with balls with each country’s name separated into four pots of 12 and each group will include one team drawn from each pot. The top seeded teams are all in pot 1 which was determined by the latest FIFA rankings.

The USA, Mexico and Canada are placed in pot 1 along with the highest ranked teams due to them being the hosts and will have the advantage of avoiding powerhouse teams like Argentina, England, France, Germany, Brazil and Portugal due to them being in the same pot.

Going into the draw, 42 teams have qualified and 6 are left to punch their tickets with 4-time champions Italy the biggest name among them. The 6 remaining teams will be decided in March where 4 European teams will qualify through the UEFA playoffs and the additional two FIFA playoffs will include teams from all over the world. So during the draw, six balls will have no team names attached to them with all of them placed in pot 4. It is only after the playoffs will we know which teams will have their names shining under the bright lights of the World Cup.

The draw will also be made in such a way that the top 4 ranked teams do not face each other till late in the tournament. So, fans salivating over the prospect of seeing holders Argentina (Rank 2) take on Spain (Rank 1) or France (Rank 3) take on England (Rank 4) in the preliminary stages may need to temper their expectations.

Group dynamics

There are also certain aspects that the draw will adhere to with each group having no more than 2 European teams. Also, apart from UEFA, no other confederation can have 2 teams from the same confederation in the same group. For example, in the preliminary group stage Brazil can’t be clubbed with Uruguay as they are both under CONCACAF. Or Japan can’t be clubbed in the same group with Uzbekistan because they are both under AFC.

The seedings also ensure that the preliminary stages might not see big teams going head-to-head. With some exceptions of course. Argentina can play in a group that consists of Morocco, Norway and Italy (if they qualify). Or France/England/Germany can be clubbed with Uruguay, Norway and Ghana.

What are the pots?

Pot 1: Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), England (4), Brazil (5), Portugal (6), Netherlands (7), Belgium (8), Germany (9), United States (14), Mexico (15), Canada (27).

Pot 2: Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).

Pot 3: Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (60), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61).

Pot 4: Jordan (66), Cape Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curaçao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86), UEFA Playoff A, UEFA Playoff B, UEFA Playoff C, UEFA Playoff D, FIFA Playoff 1, FIFA Playoff 2.

Who are in the UEFA and FIFA play-offs?

UEFA Playoff A teams: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

UEFA Playoff B teams: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania

UEFA Playoff C teams: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo

UEFA Playoff D teams: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Ireland.

FIFA Playoffs 1 teams: New Caledonia, Jamaica, Congo

FIFA Playoff 2 teams: Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq