FIFA Keeps Top Seeds Separate in 2026 World Cup Draw
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will feature a new format aimed at streamlining the process. The tournament will include 12 groups, each composed of teams drawn from four distinct pots.
Co-Hosts and Group Structure
The co-hosts for this edition are Mexico, Canada, and the United States. These countries will be assigned to specific group positions with the following identifiers:
- Mexico – Group A1
- Canada – Group B1
- United States – Group D1
This arrangement ensures that the co-hosts will play all their matches within their own territories.
Drawing Procedure
The draw procedure starts with the teams from pot one. From there, teams will be selected in alphabetical order and placed into the first available groups. This change marks a departure from traditional methods. The seeded nations, including Spain, Argentina, France, and England, will be allocated to the correct sections of the bracket as per the tournament’s guidelines.
Regulations on Confederations
To maintain balance among regions, no group can feature more than one team from the same confederation. For example, if Colombia is drawn from pot two, they will not be placed in a group with other South American teams such as Argentina or Brazil.
Notable Exceptions for European Teams
The tournament has a unique stipulation where four groups may include two European teams, given that there are 16 European qualifiers competing for placement in 12 groups.
Inter-Confederation Play-Offs
The inter-confederation play-offs introduce additional constraints on group placements. For instance:
- Pathway 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo) must avoid groups containing Concacaf or African teams.
- Pathway 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq) cannot be placed in groups with South American, Concacaf, or Asian teams.
Upcoming Schedule
The exact dates and sequence of matches will be announced during the draw. However, the specific venues and kick-off times will not be available until December 6.
This new draw structure aims to bring clarity and excitement to the build-up of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, maintaining FIFA’s commitment to a well-organized competition.
