The path to global football glory will begin to take shape later today as the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is conducted. With just 188 days remaining until the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the eyes of the footballing world will be on Washington D.C. to see who faces whom in the group stages.
How and When to Watch the Crucial Draw
The pivotal event is scheduled for Friday, December 5, at 5pm GMT (12pm ET). For fans in the United Kingdom, the draw will be broadcast live on the BBC and BBC iPlayer. Globally, it will be streamed live on FIFA.com and FIFA’s official YouTube channel. Viewers in the United States can tune in via Fox and the streaming service Fubo.
England head into the draw in formidable form, having secured their place with a perfect qualifying record. Under manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions won all eight of their qualification matches without conceding a single goal against Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra. After a quarter-final exit in Qatar 2022, the nation hopes this will be the year to end a wait for World Cup success that has lasted since 1966.
Understanding the New-Look World Cup Draw Format
The 2026 tournament marks a significant expansion, with 48 teams competing instead of 32. This change influences the draw structure and the path to knockout football. The teams will be split into four pots of 12, determined by the FIFA world rankings published on November 19.
Pot 1 will contain the three host nations—the USA, Canada, and Mexico—alongside the nine highest-ranked qualified nations. One team from each pot will be drawn into each of the 12 groups. Key rules to note are that teams from the same pot cannot meet in the group stage, and nations from the same confederation are also kept apart, with one exception: a maximum of two European teams can be drawn in the same group.
With the expanded format, the group stage will see eight of the 12 best third-place teams advance to a new round of 32. Qualification will be determined by points total, followed by goal difference and then goals scored.
Who Could England Face in the Group Stage?
As a top-ranked side, England will be placed in Pot 1. This means they will avoid other top seeds like Spain, Argentina, France, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as the host nations.
The potential opponents for Tuchel's squad are intriguing. From Pot 2, England could draw the likes of 2022 semi-finalists Croatia, African champions Morocco, or strong South American sides Colombia and Uruguay. Other possibilities include Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia.
Pot 3 offers a mix of emerging and established names, such as Scotland, Norway, Egypt, Algeria, and the Ivory Coast. Completing the possible group from Pot 4 could be nations like Ghana, New Zealand, or the winners of the upcoming European and intercontinental playoffs.
While the dream for England is a straightforward group, the draw always holds the potential for a 'group of death' or a tantalising narrative, such as a clash with historical rivals. All will be revealed this evening as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup enters its next decisive phase.
