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2026 World Cup Draw Set for Washington as Expanded 48-Team Era Takes Shape

FIFA will use a new seeding approach that separates the four highest-ranked nations, with the full match calendar to be published after the ceremony.

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Overview

  • The official draw takes place Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with President Donald Trump in a prominent hosting role at the star-studded event.
  • Teams are assigned to four pots of 12 by FIFA ranking, and Spain, Argentina, France and England are placed on separate paths so they cannot meet before the semifinals if they top their groups.
  • The tournament will have 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a new round of 32.
  • Host allocations are set: Mexico opens at Estadio Azteca and also plays in Guadalajara (Group A), Canada plays in Toronto and Vancouver (Group B), and the United States plays in Los Angeles and Seattle (Group D), with the final slated for MetLife Stadium.
  • Several berths remain open for March playoffs, with UEFA and intercontinental single-leg semifinals on March 26 and finals on March 31, and the intercontinental ties staged in Mexico.