The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, released earlier today, has unveiled the details for the highly anticipated European Draw for the 2026 World Cup. This event will determine the qualification groups for UEFA teams competing for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, the largest edition in history, featuring 48 teams.
Procedures for the European Draw 2026
The draw will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, starting at 12:00 PM (CET). Fans worldwide can watch the live event on FIFA.com, FIFA+, and through official FIFA broadcasting partners.
Key Details of the Draw
- Start with Pot 1: The process will begin with the seeded teams.
- Group Allocation: Teams will be assigned sequentially from Group A to Group L.
- Fairness Rules: Specific restrictions will apply to ensure a balanced draw.
Expanded UEFA Spots for the 2026 World Cup
UEFA has been allocated 16 spots for this tournament, an increase from the 13 spots in previous editions. Qualifiers will run from March to November 2025, with the final playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
European Draw 2026 Seedings: Pot Distribution
The latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking determines the seedings for the draw:
Pot 1
France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria.
Pot 2
Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway.
Pot 3
Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel.
Pot 4
Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania.
Pot 5
Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino.
Qualification Format for the 2026 World Cup
The qualification phase will feature 12 groups of four or five teams:
- Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup.
- The remaining four spots will be decided in March 2026 via playoffs. This stage will include the 12 second-placed teams from the group stage and the four top-ranked group winners from the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League who did not qualify directly.
MLS: The League That Doesn’t Stop Despite FIFA Date
Key Dates for the European Draw 2026
- Group Stage: March to November 2025.
- UEFA Playoffs: March 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be a landmark tournament, showcasing the largest number of teams ever.
Watch the European Draw 2026 Live
Don’t miss the European Draw for the 2026 World Cup. Follow it live on FIFA.com, FIFA+, and official broadcasters. The road to the biggest World Cup yet begins here!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2024