England have been seeded and are set to keep away from Spain, Argentina and France till the latter levels
FIFA have confirmed the pots and seedings for the World Cup 2026 draw, which takes place on December 5.
England, the world’s fourth-ranked aspect, have been drawn in Pot 1 alongside the likes of Spain, Argentina, France and Brazil, in addition to host nations United States, Canada and Mexico.
Scotland, who sealed their place on the World Cup for the primary time since 1998 in gorgeous fashion towards Denmark final week, have been positioned in Pot 3, becoming a member of the likes of Norway, Egypt and Algeria.
Fellow dwelling nations Wales, Northern Eire and the Republic of Eire will try and safe their locations through the play-offs in March, with all 4 UEFA winners going into Pot 4.
England to keep away from Spain, Argentina and France till latter levels
FIFA have additionally introduced that the top-four ranked groups shall be particularly seeded so they’ll keep away from one another within the draw till at least the semi-finals.
Spain (1st seed) and defending champions Argentina (2nd seed), have been positioned in reverse sides of the draw – which means the earliest they will meet is the ultimate.
France (third) and England (4th) have been equally paired, which suggests the Three Lions will be unable to return up towards Spain or Argentina till the semi-finals, and France till the ultimate.
This does, nonetheless, solely apply if all 4 nations win their respective teams.
World Cup confirmed pots
Pot 1
- United States
- Mexico
- Canada
- Spain
- Argentina
- France
- England
- Portugal
- Brazil
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Germany
Pot 2
- Croatia
- Morocco
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Senegal
- Senegal
- Iran
- South Korea
- Ecuador
- Austria
- Australia
Pot 3
- Panama
- Norway
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Scotland
- Paraguay
- Ivory Coast
- Tunisia
- Uzbekistan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
Pot 4
- Jordan
- Cape Verde
- Ghana
- Curucao
- Haiti
- New Zealand
- UEFA play-off winner 1 (Italy / Northern Eire / Wales / Bosnia-Herzegovina)
- UEFA play-off winner 2 (Ukraine / Sweden / Poland / Albania)
- UEFA play-off winner 3 (Turkey / Romania / Slovakia / Kosovo)
- UEFA play-off winner 4 (Denmark / North Macedonia / Czech Republic / Republic of Eire)
- Inter-confederation play-off winner 1 (DR Congo / New Caledonia / Jamaica)
- Inter-confederation play-off winner 2 (Iraq / Bolivia / Suriname)
When is the World Cup 2026 draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will happen in Washington on December 5 at 5pm UK time (12pm native time).
How will the World Cup 2026 draw work?
The 12 World Cup teams will every include one staff from every of the 4 pots. The draw begins with pot one.
Co-hosts Mexico (A1), Canada (B1), and the US (D1) are assigned fastened positions to allow them to play all matches of their dwelling nations. They’re represented by particular colored balls.
As groups are drawn, they enter the primary obtainable group in alphabetical order. A pc ensures Spain, Argentina, France, and England land within the right bracket sections.
The draw proceeds by means of pot two, then pot three, and finishes with pot 4.
To hurry up the method, groups are not drawn into particular group positions. All seeded groups take place one, and a predetermined grid assigns the remaining positions.
No group might embody a couple of staff from the identical confederation, besides that 4 teams will include two European groups as a result of Europe has 16 qualifiers for 12 teams.
Inter-confederation play-off winners have restricted choices: Pathway 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo) can not be a part of Concacaf or African groups; Pathway 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq) should keep away from South America, Concacaf, and Asia.
Match dates and order shall be identified after the draw, however venues and kick-off occasions will solely be confirmed on Saturday, 6 December.