Football World Cup 2026 Draw: Friday’s Big Draw- New rules, new rivalries

The World Cup may be over a year away, but the road to 2026 kicks off for real this Friday, December 13, (Friday the 13th) when Europe’s teams discover their qualifying fates. The draw takes place in Zurich at 12PM (noon) Spanish time, with fans on tenterhooks to see who their national teams will face. So, what’s new about this year’s format, and how will it all unfold?

New World Cup rules, new rivalries

In a shake-up for the ages, the European qualifiers have been revamped to match the expanded 48-team World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Europe’s 16 spots are up for grabs through a streamlined 12-group system, with some intriguing twists.

Six groups will feature five teams, while the other six will have only four. It’s simple: finish top of your group, and you’re booking a ticket to North America. Come second? You’ll enter a nerve-shredding play-off alongside four Nations League hopefuls, with just four tickets available for those 16 teams.

Seeds of excitement: Where will your team land?

The seeding system adds another layer of drama. Each group will include teams from pots ranked by their performances. Here’s the breakdown:

Pot 1: Heavyweights like Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, are joined by Denmark, Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria.

Pot 2: These are the dark horses; Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Norway.

Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Israel could spring surprises.

Pot 4: Teams like Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Kosovo, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Lithuania could be wildcards.

Pot 5: Football minnows Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, and San Marino look to shock the big boys.

The draw starts with Pot 1 teams assigned to groups before moving sequentially down the pots. However, restrictions are in place: political tensions mean Ukraine won’t face Belarus, and Kosovo must avoid Serbia.

Four-team groups: The Nations League twist

The Nations League adds an extra wrinkle to the mix. Four of its quarter-finalists will occupy spots in the four-team groups, ensuring fewer fixtures due to their packed calendars. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, part of the play-offs, are prime candidates for these groups. Meanwhile, England are expected to land in a five-team group.

Weather woes and travel troubles

To avoid frozen pitches, only two of Europe’s coldest nations – such as Finland and Iceland – can share a group. Long-haul journeys for teams like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are also limited.

Mark your calendars

Qualifiers kick off in March 2025, with games spaced across five international breaks. Four-team groups get a later start, with matches beginning in September. The play-offs – for those holding on to their World Cup dreams by a thread- take place in March 2026.

The final countdown

The tournament itself begins on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, culminating in a July 19 final in New Jersey. For the first time ever, 48 teams will battle it out in 12 groups, followed by a thrilling last-32 knockout stage.

As fans gear up for the big reveal, the road to 2026 promises a bucket-load of drama.

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