The road to the largest FIFA World Cup in history reaches its next significant milestone on December 5, 2025, when the full group-stage draw for the expanded 48-team tournament will be revealed.
When and Where the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Takes Place
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- Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM ET (18:00 CET)
- Venue: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
- Event: Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26™
The draw will bring together delegations from all qualified nations, FIFA officials, ambassadors, global media, and representatives from the 16 Host Cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It marks one of the final and most important steps before the first World Cup contested by 48 teams begins in June 2026.
How will the FIFA World Cup Draw work this year?
The 48 participating nations will be sorted into four pots and drawn into 12 groups of four teams each.
A few important points:
The three host countries, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are automatically placed into Pot 1.
- As hosts, they will hold the following group positions:
- Mexico: Group A, Position 1 (A1)
- Canada: Group B, Position 1 (B1)
- United States: Group D, Position 1 (D1)
- The draw determines all group-stage matchups that will kick off the tournament.
You can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw on FOX, FOXSports.com, the FOX Sports App, FIFA.com, FIFA+, Peacock, and with on-site coverage on Pitchside Brazil’s socials.
Who Has Qualified for the FIFA World Cup in North America So Far?
Qualifying is well underway across the globe, with many nations already having booked their tickets to the 2026 World Cup. Those currently on the list include:
United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Iran, Japan, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Gusto, Cape Verde, South Africa, Qatar, England, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Scotland, Panama, Haiti, Curaçao. Note: Additional spots remain to be filled through the remaining qualifiers and playoffs.
The tournament will span 39 days across three countries, making it the largest and most ambitious World Cup schedule in history.
