The long road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches a pivotal moment today as the official group stage draw takes place, setting the stage for the biggest football tournament in history.
The Draw Mechanics and Format
All eyes are on the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for a ceremony that will shape the tournament's opening phase. For the first time, 48 nations will compete, expanded from the traditional 32, in a format comprising 12 groups of four teams.
The 42 qualified teams have been allocated into four pots based on FIFA rankings. Pot 1 contains the host nations—USA, Mexico, and Canada—alongside reigning champions Argentina and favourites like Spain, England, France, and Brazil. The draw will fill each group with one team from each pot, starting with Pot 1.
A new seeding system, similar to those used in tennis, ensures the top-ranked teams are kept apart. This means Spain and Argentina cannot meet until the final, as is the case for the next pairings of France and England.
How and When to Watch
For fans in the United Kingdom, the event will be broadcast live. Coverage begins at 5pm UK time on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Globally, the draw can be streamed live on FIFA's official website and YouTube channel.
The proceedings are expected to last approximately 90 minutes, though the start may be preceded by the usual ceremonial presentations from FIFA officials.
Tournament Schedule and Context
The expanded 2026 World Cup, which has faced some fan criticism over its enlarged format, will kick off on June 11, 2026. After 39 days of action across the three host nations, the final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
While England, under manager Thomas Tuchel, await their fate, six final spots remain to be decided through UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March next year.
The draw marks a significant step in the countdown to a truly global spectacle, determining the initial challenges for every team dreaming of lifting the trophy in two years' time.
