How the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw works with 48 teams in the fray | Football News
The 2026 FIFA World Cup shall be the greatest one in historical past with 48 teams in the combine to win the large one. With unheralded teams like Curacao and Haiti qualifying for the match, the occasion which is collectively hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada guarantees to be a cultural melting pot when the caravan lastly rolls into view in about 6 months’ time.
Before the precise match although, all eyes shall be on the draw the place 48 teams shall be divided into 12 teams (A-L) with 4 teams housed in every of them.
Along with the 2 high teams who will qualify from every of the 12 teams, the eight greatest third-placed sides (primarily based on factors, objective distinction and so on) may even make it to the Round of 32.
After the match begins, these 32 teams will qualify from these teams after which proceed to the single-elimination knockout rounds. For instance, after the group stage, there shall be a Round of 32, then a Round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals after which the closing.
So, how does the draw work with an unprecedented 48 teams set to participate this time round? We clarify.
The FIFA World Cup draw
The train is just like how the Champions League draw takes place with balls with every nation’s identify separated into 4 pots of 12 and every group will embody one crew drawn from every pot. The high seeded teams are all in pot 1 which was decided by the newest FIFA rankings.
The USA, Mexico and Canada are positioned in pot 1 alongside with the highest ranked teams as a consequence of them being the hosts and may have the benefit of avoiding powerhouse teams like Argentina, England, France, Germany, Brazil and Portugal as a consequence of them being in the identical pot.
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Going into the draw, 42 teams have certified and 6 are left to punch their tickets with 4-time champions Italy the greatest identify amongst them. The 6 remaining teams shall be determined in March the place 4 European teams will qualify by means of the UEFA playoffs and the extra two FIFA playoffs will embody teams from throughout the world. So throughout the draw, six balls may have no crew names connected to them with all of them positioned in pot 4. It is barely after the playoffs will we all know which teams may have their names shining below the shiny lights of the World Cup.
The draw may even be made in such a approach that the high 4 ranked teams don’t face one another until late in the match. So, followers salivating over the prospect of seeing holders Argentina (Rank 2) tackle Spain (Rank 1) or France (Rank 3) tackle England (Rank 4) in the preliminary levels could have to mood their expectations.
Group dynamics
There are additionally sure points that the draw will adhere to with every group having not more than 2 European teams. Also, other than UEFA, no different confederation can have 2 teams from the identical confederation in the identical group. For instance, in the preliminary group stage Brazil can’t be clubbed with Uruguay as they’re each below CONCACAF. Or Japan can’t be clubbed in the identical group with Uzbekistan as a result of they’re each below AFC.
The seedings additionally be certain that the preliminary levels won’t see large teams going head-to-head. With some exceptions after all. Argentina can play in a bunch that consists of Morocco, Norway and Italy (in the event that they qualify). Or France/England/Germany could be clubbed with Uruguay, Norway and Ghana.
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What are the pots?
Pot 1: Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), England (4), Brazil (5), Portugal (6), Netherlands (7), Belgium (8), Germany (9), United States (14), Mexico (15), Canada (27).
Pot 2: Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).
Pot 3: Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (60), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61).
Pot 4: Jordan (66), Cape Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curaçao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86), UEFA Playoff A, UEFA Playoff B, UEFA Playoff C, UEFA Playoff D, FIFA Playoff 1, FIFA Playoff 2.
Who are in the UEFA and FIFA play-offs?
UEFA Playoff A teams: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
UEFA Playoff B teams: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania
UEFA Playoff C teams: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo
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UEFA Playoff D teams: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Ireland.
FIFA Playoffs 1 teams: New Caledonia, Jamaica, Congo
FIFA Playoff 2 teams: (*48*), Suriname and Iraq
