With the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup just hours away, football fans across the globe are buzzing with anticipation. For those who can't wait to see the fate of their nation decided, we've launched an easy-to-use draw simulator to let you predict the groups yourself.
The Stage is Set in Washington
The prestigious draw ceremony will commence at 5pm UK time on Friday, bringing official representatives from qualified nations to Washington. The event will set the stage for next summer's monumental tournament, which will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams competing across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Home nations England and Scotland have already secured their places and will be watching closely. They could yet be joined by Wales, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, who all remain in contention through the play-off rounds scheduled for March next year.
How the Draw Pots Work
The teams have been allocated into four pots based on the latest FIFA world rankings. Pot 1 contains the nine highest-ranked nations plus the three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The remaining pots are also decided by ranking, with the lowest-rated sides and potential play-off winners placed in Pot 4.
From these pots, 12 groups of four teams will be drawn. Specific rules will apply, including a restriction of only one European team per group, which adds a strategic layer to the proceedings and influences the potential for a 'group of death'.
Create Your Own World Cup Drama
Our simulator allows you to navigate this process and generate your own version of the group stage. Will you place England or Scotland in a nightmare group with global powerhouses? Or will you chart a favourable path for the home nations?
The Pots for the 2026 Draw are as follows:
- Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European play-off teams, two intercontinental play-off teams.
Simply hit 'GO' on our simulator to randomise the draw and see how the groups could unfold. It's the perfect way to build excitement and engage with the biggest event in world football before a single ball is kicked in anger next summer.
