FIFA makes big changes in World Cup 2026, many "big guys" benefit

Under the new draw, the top four teams in the current FIFA rankings will be separated into separate arms, provided they win their group in the first round. This means that the two strongest candidates, Spain and Argentina, will only meet in the final, while England will not face France until the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.

FIFA thay đổi lớn ở World Cup 2026, nhiều “ông lớn” hưởng lợi - 1 — Argentina could avoid Spain until the 2026 World Cup final (Photo: Getty).

If they make it to the semi-finals, England will likely face Spain or Argentina. Before that, they could face Portugal, Germany, Brazil or the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. However, being seeded first in a quarter of the draw gives coach Thomas Tuchel and his team an easier path than other big opponents.

The 2026 World Cup group stage draw will take place in Washington DC on December 5. FIFA has announced the seeding pots in the 2026 World Cup group stage draw. Accordingly, pot 1 will include the 3 host teams along with the 9 teams with the best results on the FIFA rankings. Pots 2, 3 and 4 will be determined based on the remaining FIFA rankings.

FIFA thay đổi lớn ở World Cup 2026, nhiều “ông lớn” hưởng lợi - 2 — The top four teams on the FIFA rankings are divided into different branches (Photo: The Sun).

The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four teams each. As usual, two teams from the same association cannot be drawn in the same group, except in UEFA, where a maximum of two European teams are allowed in each group. This rule is intended to ensure continental diversity in each group, while maintaining competitiveness and balance between teams.

Mexico is placed in Group A and will play the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026. Canada is placed in Group B, while the US is in Group D.

Based on the latest FIFA rankings, the seeding groups in the 2026 World Cup draw are determined as follows:

Group 1: Canada, USA, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, France, UK, Portugal, Netherlands, Brazil, Belgium, Germany.

Group 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.

Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.

Group 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand and 6 teams participating through the play-off round.