"Two separate pathways to the semi-finals have been established while developing the match schedule to ensure competitive balance, which sees constraints applied to the four-highest ranked teams in the FIFA world rankings. The highest-ranked team, European champions Spain, and the second highest-ranked team, World Cup holders Argentina, will be randomly drawn into opposite pathways, as will the third and fourth highest-ranked sides, which are France and England respectively."
"Harry Kane missed a second penalty late on as England were dumped out of the 2022 World Cup by France. (Image credit: Getty Images) This means that if Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane and company are to end 60 years of hurt on the other side of the Atlantic next summer, they will not face Spain or Argentina until the semi-finals should all three countries win their groups. The same goes for a potential final match up with France."
The 2026 World Cup draw is set for Friday 5 December in Washington D.C., with FIFA confirming procedures including pot allocation and pathways. Two separate pathways to the semi-finals have been created to ensure competitive balance, imposing constraints on the four highest-ranked teams. Spain and Argentina will be drawn into opposite pathways, as will France and England. Consequently Spain or Argentina would not meet England until the semi-finals if those teams win their groups. England were knocked out by France in the 2022 quarter-finals after Harry Kane missed a second late penalty. Pot 1 also includes other top-ranked nations such as Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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