FIFA Unveils Top Seeds for 2026 World Cup Draw
FIFA has announced the top-seeded teams for the upcoming World Cup draw scheduled for December 5, 2025. This announcement follows the completion of qualifying matches across four continents.
Top Seeds for the 2026 World Cup
The co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, namely the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be joined in the prestigious pot of No. 1 seeds. Other notable teams include:
- Spain
- Argentina
- France
- England
- Portugal
- Brazil
- The Netherlands
- Belgium
- Germany
Interestingly, Croatia, a team that reached the semifinals in 2022 and was the runner-up in 2018, has been placed in Pot 2 for the draw.
Details of the Draw Ceremony
The draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with President Donald Trump expected to attend. This event will also determine the playoff brackets for March, which will identify the last six teams for the expanded 48-nation lineup.
European Playoffs Overview
A total of 22 teams will compete in the playoffs, with 16 teams from Europe vying for four World Cup spots. Italy, ranked 12th, headlines the European playoffs as they seek to avoid a third consecutive early exit after being eliminated in previous rounds.
Italy finished as runners-up in their qualifying group, which was topped by Norway. Erling Haaland’s Norwegian team poses a significant threat as a contender from Pot 3.
Playoff Format
Italy will face a fourth-seeded team in their first playoff matchup. The last encounter may include North Macedonia, who notably defeated Italy in 2022. The victor of this clash will progress to a final playoff round scheduled five days later.
Intercontinental Playoffs
The intercontinental playoffs will feature top-seeded teams from Iraq and DR Congo awaiting their opponents from the semifinals, which include:
- Bolivia
- Jamaica
- New Caledonia
- Suriname
The playoff format ensures that participating teams are tested before the final selections are made for the World Cup.
European Playoffs Seeding
| Pot | Teams |
|---|---|
| Pot 1 | Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine |
| Pot 2 | Poland, Wales, Czechia, Slovakia |
| Pot 3 | Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo |
| Pot 4 | Northern Ireland, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia |
The anticipation for the 2026 World Cup continues to build as teams prepare for critical matches that will determine their fate in the tournament.
