2026 World Cup draw: Everything about the draw and pots
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a crucial moment for football fans in England. This article provides an overview of the procedures, the pot allocations, and the significance of UEFA qualification for the World Cup. Additionally, it outlines where and when the draw will take place and how the teams will determine their path to the tournament.
Results of the European Qualification Draw for the World Cup
England has been drawn into Group K, alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.
Group A
Winner of Germany-Italy (UNL QF4)
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
Group B
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo
Group C
Loser of Portugal-Denmark (UNL QF3)
Greece
Scotland
Belarus
Group D
Winner of France-Croatia (UNL QF2)
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan
Group E
Winner of Spain-Netherlands (UNL QF1)
Turkey
Georgia
Bulgaria
Group F
Winner of Portugal-Denmark (UNL QF3)
Hungary
Ireland
Armenia
Group G
Loser of Spain-Netherlands (UNL QF1)
Poland
Finland
Lithuania
Malta
Group H
Austria
Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino
Group I
Loser of Germany-Italy (UNL QF4)
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova
Group J
Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein
Group K
England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra
Group L
Loser of France-Croatia (UNL QF2)
Czech Republic
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
When and where will the draw take place?
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024. The ceremony begins at 11 am CET in Zürich, Switzerland. Fans can watch the draw live on FIFA.com, FIFA+, and through other official broadcasters. This event marks the beginning of the journey to secure a spot in the world's biggest football tournament.
Pot allocations for the UEFA draw
UEFA teams are divided into five pots based on the FIFA World Ranking. This ranking determines the strength of the teams and plays a key role in the draw process.
Overview of the pots:
- Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria
- Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Türkiye, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czechia, Norway
- Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel
- Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania
- Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino
The draw starts with Pot 1 and proceeds to Pot 5. Teams will be placed into Groups A to L following predetermined procedures.
What does this draw mean for England?
England, as one of the top teams in Pot 1, enjoys a strong starting position. This placement allows England to avoid several other favorites during the group stage of the qualifiers. However, competition remains intense, as Pots 2 and 3 also include strong contenders.
The expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams provides more opportunities for European nations. The number of UEFA slots has increased from 13 to 16, making the tournament more inclusive and enhancing England's chances of qualification.
Format of the UEFA qualification
The UEFA qualification process begins in March 2025 and concludes in November 2025. The format is familiar:
- 12 groups consisting of 4 or 5 teams each.
- Group winners qualify directly for the World Cup.
- The remaining four spots are determined through play-offs in March 2026.
The play-offs involve the 12 group-stage runners-up and four of the highest-ranked UEFA Nations League teams that have not already qualified directly or reached the play-offs as group runners-up.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the exciting start of the qualification journey for European teams. For England, being in Pot 1 provides hope for a favorable group stage. The expanded tournament format, with 48 participating nations, makes the 2026 World Cup a historic edition.
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Read all about the 2026 World Cup draw, including pot draw with England in pot 1, draw procedures and the qualifying process.
About the author
Author of this content is Patrick. I have been playing soccer for more than 25 years and follow the daily news closely. My hobbies include playing football, running and maintaining various websites, in addition to my job as a financial professional.
I do not work for any related company or institution, so the information is reliable and independent. The information has been collected accurately from reliable sources and is regularly updated.