"The countdown to next summer's World Cup is well and truly on. It is now just over six months until the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026. With 42 of the 48 competing countries confirmed - the final six will be decided in the play-offs next March - attention turns to the World Cup 2026 draw, where teams will find out their group-stage opponents."
"The draw will take place this Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, starting at 5pm UK time. It will be broadcast live on BBC Two and streamed on the FIFA YouTube channel. FIFA president Gianni Infantino will oversee proceedings, although it is unlikely the draw itself will start bang on 5pm, with previous ceremonies involving various speeches, special guests and more before the main event."
"The 48 teams have been divided into four pots of 12 countries, with the 12 groups formed by drawing one country from each pot. Pot one features the United States, Mexico and Canada, plus the nine highest-placed teams in the FIFA rankings, while the six spots assigned to the play-off winners are all in pot four - which means the final team in six of the 12 groups will not be confirmed until next March."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament expands to 48 teams and a record 104 matches across 16 North American stadiums, including 72 group-stage games. Forty-two of the 48 qualifiers are confirmed, with six play-off winners decided next March. The final draw occurs on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and starts at 5pm UK time, with live coverage on BBC Two and FIFA's YouTube channel. Teams are allocated into four pots of 12, with pot one containing the three hosts and the nine highest-ranked teams, and pot four containing the six play-off slots. No more than two European teams can be placed in the same group.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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