Football fans across England and Scotland will discover their nations' group stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this evening, but will face an unusual 24-hour wait to learn the crucial details of when and where those matches will be played.
The Unprecedented Two-Part Draw Process
The traditional draw ceremony, held in Washington DC, will confirm the composition of the 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament. However, in a break from tradition, the specific fixture dates, kick-off times, and host venues for each match will not be announced until a separate ceremony on Saturday, 6th December.
This staggered approach is a direct result of the tournament's increased scale, which will feature a record 104 matches. FIFA has stated it requires the extra day to finalise the complex logistics for the biggest World Cup in history.
When and How to Get the Full Schedule
The second ceremony, where the full match schedule will be unveiled, is scheduled for Saturday evening in Washington DC. For viewers in the UK, the broadcast will begin at 5pm.
A FIFA spokesman confirmed: ‘FIFA will unveil the updated match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in a live global broadcast on Saturday, 6th December from Washington DC. This will take place nearly 24 hours after the world learns of the 12 groups.’ The reveal will be led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accompanied by FIFA Legends.
This means supporters hoping to secure travel and accommodation for next summer's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will need to wait until Saturday evening before making concrete plans.
Tournament Format and Qualified Teams
The 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026, with hosts Mexico playing the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium.
The draw pots for tonight's ceremony are as follows:
- Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, plus winners from four European play-off paths and two FIFA inter-confederation play-offs.
The final places will be decided in play-offs scheduled for March 2026. The European play-off paths involve teams including Wales, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania, Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkiye, Romania, Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, and North Macedonia.
While the group-stage adversaries for the Home Nations will be known imminently, the full picture of their 2026 World Cup journey will only come into focus after Saturday's pivotal schedule announcement.
