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Overview
- Host nations were pre-assigned as Mexico A1, Canada B1 and United States D1, with the draw establishing 12 groups of four from four ranking-based pots.
- FIFA’s new rule keeps Spain with Argentina and France with England on opposite bracket paths if they win their groups, preventing an early clash of the top four.
- The 48-team tournament runs June 11–July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a 32-team knockout phase that includes the eight best third-placed sides.
- Six places remain open for March playoffs, with UEFA and intercontinental single-leg semifinals and finals scheduled for March 26 and 31, the latter hosted in Mexico.
- The Kennedy Center ceremony features presenters Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, draw lead Rio Ferdinand, sports stars Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge, and performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Village People; FIFA will publish venues and kickoff times on December 6, with group allocations mapping to pre-set host regions that influence travel and climate planning.