The Final Draw procedures for the historic 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 have been revealed, with all participating teams set to learn their group stage opponents on Friday, December 5, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC. The updated tournament schedule including stadium assignments and kickoff times will follow on December 6. The draw will form 12 groups of four teams each—the first time in World Cup history with this expanded format.
Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the USA occupy Pot 1 alongside top-ranked nations such as Spain, Argentina, France, and England. The 39 other qualified teams are distributed into Pots 2 through 4 based on the November 2025 FIFA Men’s World Rankings, alongside placeholders for upcoming playoff winners. Pot 1 teams are drawn first, with hosts assigned pre-set group positions (Mexico A1, Canada B1, USA D1) by colored balls.
The draw ensures a balanced competitive structure with two distinct pathways toward the semifinals, keeping the highest-ranked teams, like Spain and Argentina, on opposite sides of the bracket to avoid premature matchups. No group will include more than one team from the same confederation except UEFA, which can have up to two due to its larger representation. Each team’s final group position will be assigned following a predefined pattern for Pots 2 to 4.
This draw marks a major milestone on the road to the July 19, 2026, final in New Jersey, as teams begin their chase for World Cup glory under this new format. The full match schedule release will provide fans with final venues and times, setting the stage for the world’s biggest football tournament.