The excitement is building as England and other qualified teams anticipate their group stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. With a record-breaking 48 teams participating, this tournament is set to be the largest in history.
When is the World Cup Draw?
The highly anticipated draw will occur on December 5 in Washington, D.C., starting at 12 PM local time (5 PM UK time). US President Donald Trump, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, will be present at the John F. Kennedy Center, a venue where Trump is the chairman, to announce the matchups.
This year’s format features a notable change: instead of the traditional eight groups of four, the teams will be divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the newly introduced round of 32.
The seedings for the draw will categorize the top teams as follows:
- Pot 1: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, United States, Mexico, Canada.
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, plus playoff teams.
Fans can catch the draw on FIFA’s website or YouTube channel, with coverage also available through the BBC and BBC iPlayer. FIFA anticipates the draw will take around 45 minutes during a broader show lasting about 90 minutes.
When and Where is the World Cup?
The tournament is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches held across 11 venues in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. This World Cup marks a significant leap in scale, featuring 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, compared to 64 in previous tournaments.
As host nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will automatically qualify and play all their group matches on home turf. The grand final is set to unfold at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a venue familiar to NFL fans.
Stadiums Hosting Matches
The full list of stadiums where matches will be held is as follows:
- United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle.
- Mexico: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Guadalajara, Estadio Monterrey.
- Canada: Toronto Stadium, BC Place (Vancouver).
Which Teams Could Still Qualify?
Other confederations are allocated as follows:
- CONMEBOL: Minimum six spots
- CONCACAF: Minimum six spots
- AFC: Eight spots
- CAF: Nine spots
- OFC: One guaranteed spot
This year also sees Scotland returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998, while Jordan, Curacao, Cape Verde, and Uzbekistan will participate as first-time qualifiers. Some final slots will be filled through various playoff formats.
Will There Be a Half-Time Show?
Taking inspiration from the NFL’s Super Bowl, FIFA has announced that a half-time show will occur during the World Cup final on July 19. While music acts have been featured in past finals, this will be the inaugural dedicated halftime show. Coldplay’s involvement in curating artists for this event has been hinted at, but no specific performers have been announced yet.
Meet the Mascots and the Official Ball
Reflecting the three host nations, this World Cup will introduce three mascots: Maple the moose (Canada), Zayu the jaguar (Mexico), and Clutch the bald eagle (USA). The official match ball, named Trionda, signifies “three waves” in Spanish and features a vibrant design that incorporates colors representing each host country.
How to Get Tickets
Ticket sales for the World Cup have begun, but obtaining them can be complex. The release is organized in three phases, each with different eligibility criteria for purchasing. The initial phase was for Visa cardholders, while the second phase commenced on November 12 for registered fans, and the final phase will involve a random selection draw.
Prices may vary based on the type of ticket, such as single matches or specific venues, making it essential for fans to stay updated on the purchase process.
