FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw: Pot Projections

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will soon make history with its newly formatted 48-team tournament, and one that’s hosted by three countries. On December 5, 2025, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. will be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw. The qualifying campaigns have now wrapped up, and it’s time for football fans to find out who their favorite teams will be competing against. With that, here’s a look at some FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions that will be happening in the group stage draw!

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw: How Seeding Works

Even though 16 new teams will appear, FIFA is still keeping the four-team groups. Teams will instead be divided into four pots per the FIFA world rankings and, of course, host nation status.

Pot 1 shall include the three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Alongside them will be nine of the highest-ranked nations globally. As for Pot 2, fans can expect a feature of the next 12 highest-ranked teams. Then, for Pot 3, the subsequent 12 teams. And finally, Pot 4 will contain the 12 lowest-ranked teams that qualified for the tournament.

Then, playoff teams’ placements will currently remain uncertain. FIFA could place all playoff qualifiers in either: Pot 4 or seed them according to ranking of highest ranked during the playoff path. So, let’s say, the UEFA playoff winner from Path A—which is currently held by Italy—could be placed into Pot 2 if FIFA decides on ranking-based seeding.

Finally, at the end of the draw, the 12 groups of four will come around, plus the six nations still to secure qualification. That is how the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw will come to pass. So now, let’s dive into some projections as part of our FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions.

Projected Pot 1

Pot 1 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw is, at present, dominated by UEFA heavyweights and the host nations themselves. Confirmed countries that have joined the list of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualified teams are Spain, France, Brazil; to name a few.

• Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
• UEFA: Spain, France, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
• CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil

With the three hosts there in Pot 1, it will give Pots 2 and 3 the chance to strengthen in competition.

Pot 2 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions

For Pot 2, fans can expect teams such as Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, and a few more. This composition, however, can still vary. All because of its dependency on whether the UEFA playoff teams will be seeded. A great example is if Italy and Denmark enter Pot 2 if they are seeded based on their playoff rankings.

Scenario 1: All playoff teams in Pot 4

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

Scenario 2: Playoff teams seeded

• Croatia, Morocco, Italy, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Denmark, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria

Projected Pot 3

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw for Pot 3 will likely have a mixed combination: Egypt, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Panama, and others may join this pot. The playoff nations like Türkiye and Ukraine may even be seeded here in terms of FIFA World Cup qualifiers and depending on FIFA’s choice method.

Scenario 1: All playoff teams in Pot 4

• Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa

Scenario 2: Playoff teams seeded

• Austria, Türkiye, Australia, Ukraine, Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw: Pot 4 Predictions 

As for Pot 4, it’s going to likely have a mix of many debutants, lower-ranked teams, and even some intercontinental playoff winners. Some teams expected could be Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, and more. Even playoff winners such as DR Congo and Iraq may join them.

Scenario 1: All playoff teams in Pot 4

• Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, UEFA Playoff Teams 1–4, Inter-continental Playoff Teams 1–2

Scenario 2: Playoff teams seeded

• Uzbekistan, Qatar, DR Congo, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand

Potential Groups and “Group of Death”: FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions

With the playoffs still yet to be finished, predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw may lead to several scenarios. So, assuming playoff teams do come into Pot 4; a potential group of death could be seen in:

• Pot 1: Argentina
• Pot 2: Morocco
• Pot 3: Norway
• Pot 4: Italy (if they qualify via playoffs)

Argentina has returned as defending champions and leads CONMEBOL by a margin. Meanwhile, Morocco is still a giant-killer after their 2022 campaign. Norway has Erling Haaland to make them stand out, especially after his 16 goals in eight of the country’s UEFA qualifying matches. Italy may not have joined the initial qualifiers, but they may add further intrigue if they are placed in Pot 4.

That isn’t to say other teams aren’t also on the forefront. Fans should expect high-octane performances from Japan in Pot 2, Egypt and Ivory Coast in Pot 3, as well as Ghana in Pot 4.

Best and Worst Case Scenarios for Hosts and England

USA and Canada in the FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions for group stage draw may face some nightmares. Particularly, if they are drawn with Morocco, Norway, and Italy. A favorable draw for these two host nations would be best with debutants like Jordan, Cabo Verde, or Curaçao, which will make it easier for them to push through to knockout stages.

England is currently restricted to two UEFA teams per group. The worst that can happen to them is being grouped with Japan in Pot 2, with Egypt or Ivory Coast in Pot 3, and the least likely (but still possible), Italy in Pot 4. Although, their best chance is if, by some miracle, they get drawn against a lower-ranked or debuting team.

What to Expect from the FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw is set to happen on December 5, 2025. And in the end, it will set the tone for future FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions. These predictions of ours highlights some potential group of death scenarios, as well as the paths each team may take depending on their pot.

With that, fans must prepare for a tournament that may surprise them – especially with new debutants thanks to the 48-team format. All eyes will be on the host nations, as well as England – who will need to fight through a more expanded tournament. To stay updated on the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup predictions and news, be sure to stay tuned here or in the 12WorldCup Instagram page!