FIFA Sets New Knockout Draw System for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has introduced a new knockout-stage draw system for the 2026 World Cup that will keep the top four seeded teams separated until at least the semifinals of next summer’s expanded 48-team tournament.

The format mirrors a tennis-style bracket similar to the structure used at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. Spain, ranked No. 1 in the latest FIFA standings, and No. 2 Argentina will be placed on opposite sides of the bracket. No. 3 France and No. 4 England will also be split, ensuring the top four teams cannot meet before the final four.

As a result, each of the top four nations will be placed in separate quadrants of the knockout bracket. England will avoid both European champion Spain and world champion Argentina until a possible semifinal. France, which defeated England in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, would not face Gareth Southgate’s side until the final.

How the Pots Work

Among the top seeds, England is placed in Pot 1. Scotland enters the draw in Pot 3, meaning the two nations could meet in the group stage. However, no more than two European teams can be drawn into the same group. If England draws a European team from Pot 2, Scotland cannot be placed in that group.

Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales remain play-off hopefuls and are slotted into Pot 4. Northern Ireland and Wales are competing for a single spot available through play-off Path A.

Pot Allocations

Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, United States, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia

Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa

Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A/B/C/D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2

What the New Format Means for the Draw

The World Cup Final Draw will be held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., beginning at 5 p.m. UK time. U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino will oversee the draw at the John F. Kennedy Center.

The process begins with teams from Pot 1 being assigned to Groups A through L, followed by Pots 2, 3 and 4. The position each team takes within its group is determined by a pre-set allocation sequence.

No group may contain more than one team from the same confederation, with the exception of UEFA, which has 16 qualified teams. Each group must include at least one but no more than two European teams.

Inter-Confederation Play-Off Constraints

The two FIFA Play-Off Tournament placeholders in Pot 4 must adhere to confederation rules:

Trump previously described the World Cup as “the biggest event in sports,” while Infantino said the 104-match competition would feel like “104 Super Bowls.”

Qualified Teams

Forty-two nations have already secured places at the 2026 tournament. The remaining spots will be filled through continental and inter-confederation play-offs.

Qualified Teams for the 2026 World Cup (42 of 48)

AFC (Asia) – 8 Teams

CAF (Africa) – 9 Teams

Concacaf – 6 Teams

(Including automatic hosts)

CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 Teams

OFC (Oceania) – 1 Team

UEFA (Europe) – 12 Teams

World Cup 2026 Schedule

The full match schedule, including kickoff times and stadium assignments, will be released Dec. 6 following the draw. FIFA has confirmed the opening match will take place in Mexico City.

The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Key Dates