The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw is set for December 5 in Washington, D.C., amid political tensions and a surprise new award announcement. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend, while attendance from other leaders remains uncertain due to diplomatic issues. FIFA will reveal the full match schedule the following day.
The group stage draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition with 48 teams, will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This event will form 12 groups of four teams each, based on four pots determined by FIFA rankings. Pot 1 includes seeded hosts United States, Mexico, Canada, along with Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, and England. Pot 2 features teams like Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia. Pot 3 comprises Norway, Egypt, Algeria, Paraguay, Tunisia, Scotland, Ivory Coast, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, with Panama as an exception for Mexico's group. Pot 4 includes Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, and various playoff winners.
Mexico, seeded in Group A, will open the tournament on June 11 at Estadio Azteca against a Pot 3 opponent, excluding Panama due to confederation rules. Argentina, the defending champions led by Lionel Messi, will avoid other CONMEBOL teams like Uruguay and Colombia, but could face strong sides such as Morocco from Pot 2, Norway with Erling Haaland from Pot 3, or Italy if they qualify via playoffs.
The draw is overshadowed by politics. Trump, who has praised the event as a 'phenomenal kick-off,' is set to participate, following his involvement in the 2024 Club World Cup. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed attendance, joined by Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not committed, awaiting confirmations. Argentine President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, will skip due to a feud with the Argentine Football Association. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin may also absent himself, citing prior tensions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Iran plans to boycott over denied U.S. visas for key officials, including President Mehdi Taj, under a travel ban. FIFA announced a new 'FIFA Peace Prize — Football Unites the World' on November 5, to be presented at the draw. The award, created without consulting the FIFA Council, has sparked speculation about Trump as recipient, given Infantino's praise: 'I have a great relationship with President Trump, where I consider him a really close friend.'
Separately, discussions are underway for the U.S. to host Copa America 2028, following successful 2024 and 2016 editions that drew 1.6 million fans and generated record revenues for CONMEBOL.
