The anticipation for the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached a fever pitch as fans around the globe prepare for the final draw, which will shape the path to glory for the expanded 48-team tournament. In a landmark edition co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the draw will officially divide the qualified nations into 12 groups of four teams each. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, with global attention focused on the unveiling of the group-stage fixtures.
The three host nations have already been allocated their starting positions to ensure optimal logistical planning across North America. Mexico will headline Group A, Canada will anchor Group B, and the United States will lead Group D. Adding to the excitement, four nations—Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan—are set to make their historic World Cup debuts, promising fresh narratives and potential surprises in the group stages. The event will be graced by high-profile dignitaries, including the leaders of the three host nations and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The draw structure is designed to balance competitive fairness and geographical diversity. Pot 1 includes the top nine seeded nations along with the three hosts: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany join Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Pot 2 features strong contenders like Croatia, Morocco, Uruguay, Japan, and Senegal, while Pot 3 includes emerging forces such as Norway, Egypt, Algeria, and debutants Uzbekistan. Pot 4 rounds out the lineup with teams like Ghana, New Zealand, and the remaining playoff winners, ensuring every group will be a compelling mix of established giants and ambitious challengers.
With the draw set to begin at 10:30 PM IST on December 5, football fans worldwide will be glued to their screens as the road to the 2026 World Cup officially takes shape. As the largest and most geographically expansive World Cup in history, this draw marks the thrilling first step toward a tournament destined to rewrite football’s record books and capture the imagination of millions across continents.