Fifa has introduced a tennis-style seeding system for the 2026 World Cup draw, designed to keep the four highest-ranked teams apart until the semi-finals. Spain, Argentina, France and England, the top four in descending order, will be placed in separate brackets, meaning they cannot meet before the final if they win their groups.
The measure aims to ensure competitive balance, with Fifa stating that two separate pathways to the semi-finals have been established. The bracketing will be drawn randomly, so it is not predetermined which semi-final pairings will occur. The group stage will consist of 12 groups of four teams, with the three host nations (US, Mexico, Canada) given spots in pot one.
Seeding is determined by Fifa rankings, with the remaining pots filled accordingly. The six playoff winners will be in pot four. This system prevents top teams from meeting in the group stage and extends protection further into the knockout rounds.
European teams face a unique challenge as Uefa provides 16 sides, making it impossible to avoid same-confederation group matches. England could be drawn against Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, though no group will contain more than two European teams.
The match schedule will be announced on 6 December, one day after the draw, to optimise conditions for teams and enable global fans to watch live across time zones.
