Sports-Football-FIFA | ZURICH: FIFA reveals 2026 World Cup draw format keeping top seeds apart
Pix for representational purposes – AFPpix
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FIFA confirms top four seeded teams will be in separate halves of the 2026 World Cup draw, potentially meeting only in semi-finals or final
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ZURICH: FIFA has confirmed the top four seeded nations will occupy separate halves of the draw for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.
This arrangement means top-ranked Spain, second seeds Argentina, third-ranked France, and world number four England could avoid facing each other until the semi-final stage.
Should both highest-ranked teams win their groups, they would be kept apart until the final.
FIFA published the four pots for qualified teams and detailed draw procedures scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC.
The top four nations join three host countries Canada, Mexico, and the United States in Pot 1.
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Germany narrowly retained their seeded status and also feature in Pot 1.
The draw will commence with Pot 1 teams before proceeding to Pots 2, 3, and 4 in sequence.
Six World Cup spots remain available through March play-offs involving 18 nations.
Italy, ranked 12th globally and four-time champions, could enter Pot 4 if they qualify through play-offs.
Uzbekistan make their debut in Pot 3, while fellow first-timers Jordan, Cape Verde, and Curacao are in Pot 4.
Pot 1 includes Canada, Mexico, United States, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Pot 2 contains Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia.
Pot 3 features Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and South Africa.
Pot 4 comprises Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, plus European and inter-confederation play-off winners. – AFP
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