Overview
- The Final Draw takes place Dec. 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., assigning 48 teams to 12 groups of four.
- Hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States are pre-placed in A1, B1 and D1, with all teams seeded into four pots using the Nov. 19 FIFA rankings.
- Spain, Argentina, France and England are placed on separate semifinal pathways, meaning they cannot meet before the last four if they win their groups.
- Confederation limits apply to group composition, and Pot 4 holds the four UEFA playoff winners plus two intercontinental playoff placeholders ahead of March qualifiers.
- Stadium assignments and kickoff times arrive Dec. 6, with the Random Selection Draw for specific-match tickets opening Dec. 11 after nearly two million tickets already sold.