The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, with the final draw scheduled for December 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. While the tournament, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to kick off next summer, some teams are still vying for their places. Currently, 42 teams have qualified, and four additional European teams will finalize their spots through upcoming playoffs in March 2026. Additionally, two non-European slots will be filled via inter-confederation playoffs. Here’s a detailed overview of what to expect from the upcoming draw.
How to Watch the Draw
- Date: Thursday, December 5
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: FIFA Headquarters, Zurich
- Broadcast: FS1 | Live Stream: Fubo (free trial available)
Teams That Have Qualified for the World Cup
As the excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, let’s take a look at the 42 teams that have already claimed their spots. With the tournament being hosted by three nations, all of them automatically qualify:
- Hosts: United States, Mexico, Canada
- AFC Qualifiers: Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
- Concacaf Qualifiers: Haiti, Curacao, Panama
- OFC Qualifier: New Zealand
- CONMEBOL Qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay
- CAF Qualifiers: Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
- UEFA Qualifiers: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, Belgium
Inter-Confederation Playoffs
In anticipation of the World Cup, six teams are set to compete in the inter-confederation playoffs—this involves nations outside Europe. European squads will have their own playoff format, consisting of 16 teams, which will determine the last four qualifiers from Europe. Below are the teams participating in the inter-confederation playoffs:
- AFC: Iraq
- CONMEBOL: Bolivia
- CAF: Democratic Republic of Congo
- CONCACAF: Jamaica, Suriname
- OFC: New Caledonia
Understanding the Playoff Format
The inter-confederation playoffs utilize a group stage format, dividing the six national teams into two groups of three. In each group, the two lowest-ranked teams will face each other in a semifinal match. The victors will then confront the group winners in the finals. The two winning teams will secure the remaining spots in the tournament. The draw on Thursday will outline these matchups, with no return legs for any fixtures.
Upcoming Playoff Schedule
The inter-confederation playoffs are set to take place from March 23 to March 31, 2026. While exact match dates are still pending confirmation, the matches will all occur in Mexico at two prominent World Cup venues: Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, with each hosting two games. These arenas will also be central locations during the World Cup itself.
Projected World Cup Draw Pots
The upcoming FIFA World Cup draw, which will reveal the groups for the tournament, is anticipated to create significant buzz among fans and teams alike. Based on the latest international breaks, here are the projected pots:
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Croatia | Norway | Jordan |
| Argentina | Morocco | Panama | Cape Verde |
| France | Colombia | Egypt | Ghana |
| England | Uruguay | Algeria | Curacao |
| Brazil | Switzerland | Scotland | Haiti |
| Portugal | Japan | Paraguay | New Zealand |
| Netherlands | Senegal | Tunisia | European Playoff 1 |
| Belgium | Iran | Ivory Coast | European Playoff 2 |
| Germany | South Korea | Uzbekistan | European Playoff 3 |
| United States | Ecuador | Qatar | European Playoff 4 |
| Mexico | Austria | Saudi Arabia | Inter-confederation Playoff 1 |
| Canada | Australia | South Africa | Inter-confederation Playoff 2 |
