The final seeding pots for the 2026 World Cup have been revealed by FIFA, paving the way for some potentially exciting pairings in North America.
The top four teams in the FIFA rankings will have extra protection if they win their groups, according to the governing body’s explanation of how the tournament would operate.
As a result, Argentina, in second place, and Spain, in first, will not be able to play each other until the championship game. England is in fourth place, and France is in third.
These heavyweight matches can only take place in what authorities referred to as a “tennis-style” bracket starting in the semi-finals under the format FIFA has chosen. The setup is similar to how top seeds are kept away in big tennis competitions.
But as soon as one of these sides falters during the group stage, the advantage vanishes. If any of them advance to the knockout stages without winning their group, they will forfeit their protected path and may face other giants much sooner.
FIFA has confirmed the following pots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Pot 1: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Mexico, and the United States
Pot 2: Japan, Senegal, Iran, Korea Republic, Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia
Pot 3: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uzbekistan
Pot 4: FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2, European Play-Off A, B, C, and D, Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, and New Zealand
The focus now switches to December 5, when the complete tournament picture will be revealed and supporters will learn which nations their teams will play in order to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
