Federação Internacional of Futebol (FIFA) will hold this Friday, December 5, 2025, the long-awaited draw for the Copa of will define the first opponents of the 48 participating teams.
Despite the revelation of the groups, the entity will postpone the publication of the complete table of games, times and locations until Saturday, December 6th. Esta measure aims to allow detailed logistical adjustments in the three host countries: Estados Unidos, Canadá and México, which will host the tournament between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
The expanded competition will feature an unprecedented format of 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the round of 32, totaling 32 teams in the knockout stages.
The tournament, which promises to be the biggest in history, presents complex coordination due to the vast geography of three countries and multiple time zones. FIFA’s priority lies in optimizing global broadcasts and ensuring the best conditions for teams and fans.
Draw details and new structure of Copa
The ceremony in Washington is a fundamental milestone in the planning of the teams, who will now embark on their initial path towards the world title. The draw establishes the matchups, although the exact order of the games remains a mystery for another day, awaiting final validation.
The 12-group structure represents a significant change compared to previous editions, which had 8 groups of 4 teams. Este new model increases the number of matches and the participation of teams from different confederations.
The Copa venues for Mundo FIFA 2026 are strategically distributed:
The group stage will take place between June 11th and 27th, with game times varying between 1pm and 10pm in the Brasília time zone, seeking to serve diverse global audiences.
Pot division criteria and continental balance
FIFA organizes the teams into four distinct pots, based on the entity’s current ranking and ensuring a continental balance in the brackets. Pote 1 is made up of the host countries and the nine highest ranked teams in the world.
The team, currently in seventh position in the ranking, is seeded with Pote 1, alongside powers such as Argentina and França. Esta strategic position avoids initial clashes with other major forces in world football.
Distribution of selections and pending vacancies
The draw begins with the host teams already defined in their groups: México in Grupo A, Canadá in Grupo B and Estados Unidos in on Grupo B, França on Grupo C and Inglaterra on Grupo D, to ensure a balance in the tournament progression.
Each group will have one selection from each pot, with the restriction that confederations cannot have more than two teams in the same group, except UEFA, which can have up to two. Esta measure aims to promote diversity and avoid groups with a predominance of teams from the same region.
Six places are still open, to be filled through intercontinental repechages, scheduled for March 2026.
Headquarters and logistical challenges of the mega event
The Estados Unidos concentrate the majority of games in 11 stadiums, spanning four time zones, from Seattle, on the west coast, to Miami, on the east coast. The México will utilize three arenas, with the Estádio Azteca hosting the opening match on June 11th at 3pm at Brasília. Canadá, in turn, will have two headquarters in Toronto and Vancouver.
FIFA’s preliminary table already indicates generic dates for matches, such as group G games on June 14 in Seattle and Los Angeles. The final allocation of games will consider distances to minimize long team travel and optimize television audiences around the world. Esta geographic division, with 16 host cities, represents an unprecedented logistical challenge, with a focus on accessibility for international fans.
Expanded format: 48 selections on the field
Copa of Mundo FIFA 2026 marks a historic expansion, with the participation of 48 teams, a significant increase compared to the 32 teams in previous editions. Esta change aims to include more nations, especially from smaller confederations, offering them a greater opportunity to compete on the global stage.
Each team will play three matches in the initial phase, with points awarded for victory and draw, determining classification within the groups. The knockout phase will follow a single game format, with extra time and a penalty shootout in the event of a draw, guaranteeing excitement and quick decisions.
The change to 48 teams increases the total number of matches to 104, which directly impacts FIFA’s revenue from broadcasts and ticket sales. The selection, as the seed of Pote 1, avoids initial duels with other major teams, such as Alemanha or Portugal.
Possible rivals for the team
As seed, the team will have an opponent from Pote 2, which could include teams like Croácia or Marrocos. Do Pote 3, the options can be Noruega or Egito, and from Pote 4, teams like Gana or Arábia Saudita. Restrições continentals prevent another South American team from falling into the same starting group.
The scenarios are varied and can result in balanced or more challenging groups. A balanced combination could bring the selection, Uruguai (Pot 2), Paraguai (Pot 3) and Jordânia (Pot 4). Já A more complicated group could include Croácia, Irã, and Gana.
The position in the ranking allows for 647 possible combinations, with the aim of avoiding the formation of “groups of death” in the initial phase. European and intercontinental playoffs will fill the last spots, adding a layer of unpredictability to the final clashes.
Confederation preparations and fan engagement
Confederação Brasileira of Futebol (CBF) is closely monitoring the draw to begin detailed logistical planning, including travel and training locations at American headquarters. Outras nations, such as Argentina and França, are already adjusting their club calendars to ensure the release of players in June.
FIFA promotes several fan initiatives, such as VIP ticket draws at each venue, encouraging attendance and involvement in all 16 host cities. Global broadcasts, including TV’s Globo and Sportv on Brasil, will cover the event live, with analysis from former players and experts.
This stage marks the official start of the final phase of preparation for the national teams, with an intense focus on adapting to the new format and seeking the best performance on the field.
