The wait is almost over the moment soccer fans across the globe have been counting down to is finally here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest tournament in the competition’s entire history, is about to reveal its group-stage matchups. With 48 nations, three host countries, expanded rules, and brand-new draw procedures, this edition is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
And yes the excitement is absolutely justified.
When Is the 2026 World Cup Draw Happening?
Mark the date. Circle it twice.
Friday, December 5 at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. GMT)
That’s when all 12 groups will be announced live to the world.
Each group will feature four teams one from each of the four pots. Although the U.S., Mexico, and Canada already know which groups they belong to as co-hosts, they still don’t know who they’ll be facing. That mystery ends on December 5.
The World Cup itself kicks off on June 11, 2026, and will run until July 19, giving fans a full summer of nonstop football North American style.
Where Is the World Cup Draw Taking Place?
While early rumors pointed toward Las Vegas, FIFA eventually confirmed that the draw would take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
This choice hasn’t come without drama. The venue usually carries high rental costs, yet FIFA is reportedly using it for free raising eyebrows, prompting questions, and even sparking a U.S. Senate inquiry. Some insist the organization made a generous donation; others say the details are murky.
But one thing’s clear: the Kennedy Center is about to host one of the most-watched soccer moments of the year.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Want to witness every ball pulled and every matchup revealed?
- Worldwide: FIFA.com and FIFA’s official YouTube channel
- United States: FOX
- United Kingdom: BBC and BBC iPlayer
Wherever you are, you won’t have trouble tuning in.
The New Rule That Changes EVERYTHING
For the first time ever, FIFA is introducing a massive change to the draw:
The top four ranked teams cannot meet until the semifinals, if they all finish first in their groups.
That means:
- Spain (1st) and Argentina (2nd) are guaranteed to be on opposite sides of the bracket.
- France (3rd) and England (4th) are also separated until the semis.
This world cup draw mirrors tennis tournament formatting and ensures we won’t see heavyweight clashes too early building anticipation for potentially massive late-stage matchups.
It’s a bold, controversial, and strategic twist that could shape the entire tournament.
The World Cup Draw Pots: Who’s Going Where?
Pot 1 – The Heavy Hitters
Pot 1 includes the three hosts USA, Mexico, Canada plus giants like Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Being in this pot means the hosts avoid the very biggest teams early on. But with the expanded field, Pots 2 and 3 are more dangerous than ever.
Pot 2 – Powerhouse Underdogs
This pot is stacked.
Croatia, Morocco, Japan, Senegal, Colombia, Switzerland, Iran, South Korea, Uruguay, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia all sit here and many of them are good enough to cause early upsets.
Pot 3 – Dangerous Floaters
Norway , Scotland, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Paraguay, and more sit in Pot 3. These are the teams hosts like the USMNT could face first, making opening matches tougher than usual.
Pot 4 – Wildcards and Playoff Survivors
This pot includes smaller nations, first-time qualifiers, and crucially every playoff winner, including potential giants like Italy or Denmark.
This means a powerful European nation could land in a group with a host country as a Pot 4 team. Talk about chaos.
How the New Rules Impact the Hosts
United States
The USMNT’s path:
- June 12 – Pot 3 opponent at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- June 19 – Pot 2 opponent in Seattle
- June 25 – Pot 4 opponent back at SoFi Stadium
The order is set; the opponents aren’t.
Mexico
Mexico follows the same pattern Pot 3 first, Pot 2 second, Pot 4 last but plays entirely on home soil, starting at the legendary Estadio Azteca on June 11.
Canada
Canada’s path is flipped:
- Pot 4 first,
- then Pot 3,
- and finally Pot 2,
beginning on June 12 in Toronto.
Why This World Cup Draw Matters More Than Ever
With an expanded field, new world cup draw protections, potential playoff giants dropping into Pot 4, and the unique continent-spanning tournament coming to North America for the first time since 1994, the 2026 draw isn’t just a formality it’s the first battle of the World Cup.
Every matchup, every pot, every rule tweak could reshape how this giant tournament unfolds.
And on December 5, the world finds out how the story begins.
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