FIFA has released the confirmed seeding pots for the 2026 World Cup group-stage draw, setting up the structure for a tournament that will span the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The confirmation came on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, outlining how the qualified nations will be arranged when the draw takes place in December 2025.

The three host countries, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, have all been placed in Pot 1 with automatic top-seed status. They are joined by nine of the highest-ranked teams in the FIFA World Rankings, creating a heavyweight lineup in the top pot.

Spain, Argentina, England, France, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands complete Pot 1, ensuring that every group will include at least one major football nation.

When Is the 2026 World Cup Draw?

The draw will be held on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. By then, 42 of the 48 participating teams will have been confirmed. The remaining six places will be filled through playoff slots, which will be represented as placeholders during the draw.

With the pots now set, anticipation continues to build for what is expected to be the largest and most globally diverse World Cup ever staged.

2026 FIFA World Cup Pots

Pot 1

• Canada
• Mexico
• USA
• Spain
• Argentina
• France
• England
• Brazil
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Germany

Pot 2

• Croatia
• Morocco
• Colombia
• Uruguay
• Switzerland
• Japan
• Senegal
• Iran
• Korea Republic
• Ecuador
• Austria
• Australia

Pot 3

• Norway
• Panama
• Egypt
• Algeria
• Scotland
• Paraguay
• Tunisia
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Uzbekistan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

Pot 4

• Jordan
• Cabo Verde
• Ghana
• Curaçao
• Haiti
• New Zealand
• European Play-Off A
• European Play-Off B
• European Play-Off C
• European Play-Off D
• FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1
• FIFA Play-Off Tournament 2

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