Overview
- FIFA finalized the four pots for the 48-team draw, with the United States, Mexico and Canada among the top seeds and six playoff winners slated for Pot 4.
- Group heads will occupy position 1 before teams are drawn from Pots 2, 3 and 4, with group positions determined by the pot for the first time rather than by a separate position draw.
- FIFA says assigning positions by pot will save time and deliver a more balanced distribution of group matches.
- A new seeding list will split top-ranked nations across the bracket, placing Spain and Argentina in opposite halves and doing the same for France and England, which pushes any meetings to the semifinals or final if they all win their groups.
- Confederation separation remains in force except that four groups may include two UEFA teams, and the draw will be broadcast via a livestream.