What to Expect from the Group Stage Draw

Breaking down the pots and potential matchups for the 48-team tournament

France Argentina Germany England

The group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup is approaching. Here’s everything you need to know.

The New Format

With 48 teams competing, the tournament will feature:

  • 12 groups of 4 teams each
  • Top 2 from each group advance
  • 8 best third-place teams also qualify

Pot Predictions

Pot 1 (Top Seeds)

  • USA, Mexico, Canada (hosts)
  • Argentina (defending champions)
  • France, England, Germany, Spain
  • Brazil, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal

Pot 2-4

Remaining teams distributed by FIFA ranking.

Groups of Death

With more teams, the chances of getting a “group of death” increase. Watch out for potential clashes between European giants and South American powerhouses.

Draw Date

The official draw ceremony will take place in early 2026. Stay tuned for live coverage.