For the first time in World Cup history, the top four seeded countries will not be able to meet each other until the semi-final stage of next summer's tournament – and it's good news for England.
On Tuesday, FIFA finalised seeding and procedures, with the hosts – Canada, Mexico and the USA – being placed in pot 1, while the 39 qualified teams will be allocated to the pots according to world rankings.
Based on the ranking, the top nine teams will be allocated to pot 1, along with the hosts. The next 12 highest-ranked teams will be allocated to pot 2, followed by the next 12 highest-ranked teams in pot 3.
Pot 4 will include the next six highest-ranked teams along with the six placeholders for the FIFA and European play-offs, which are scheduled to be played in March next year.
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FIFA also confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be separated into two pathways, meaning the two top-ranked teams, Spain (1) and Argentina (2), will be paired and placed into opposite sides of the knockout round bracket.
It ensures that Spain and Argentina cannot meet until the World Cup final if they win their respective groups.
As well as the two highest-ranked countries, France (3) and England (4) will also be paired, meaning the Three Lions will not be able to come up against Spain or Argentina until the semi-finals, and France until the final.
Basically, FIFA wants to make sure that top-ranked countries do not meet in the knockout rounds – something which was introduced at the Club World Cup – as they aim to avoid creating blockbuster games so early on.
To confirm, the top four seeded countries will not be able to meet each other until the semi-finals, a historic first that means Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3) and England (4) will be paired and placed into groups in opposite halves of the draw.
It must be noted that the four countries will only be kept apart in the knockout rounds if they win their groups.
What are the pots for the 2026 World Cup?
- Pot 1: United States, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, UEFA Playoff Qualifier 1, UEFA Playoff Qualifier 2, UEFA Playoff Qualifier 3, UEFA Playoff Qualifier 4, Inter-Confed Playoff Qualifier 1, Inter-Confed Playoff Qualifier 2
The draw will be held in Washington at 5pm UK time on Friday, December 5.
Topics: FIFA World Cup, England, Spain, Argentina, France, Scotland
Jack Kenmare