Confirmed pots for FIFA World Cup 2026 draw - who could England and Scotland face?

The November international break brought an end to the World Cup qualification process, and with it, 42 teams have now booked their places at next year's tournament. 

Thr final fixtures saw heavy hitters such as Germany, Spain, and France all confirm their place at the finals. However, in the biggest World Cup ever, they will also be joined by new names, including Cape Verde, Jordan, and the smallest nation to qualify, Curacao. 

There are still eight places up for grabs through the play-offs, which are set to take place in March, with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all hoping to join England and Scotland - who made it through to their first finals since 1998 with a dramatic win over Denmark - in North and Central America next year. 

FIFA have now confirmed the pots for the draw, and for the first time, the top four seeded teams - Argentina, Spain, France and England will be kept apart until the semi-finals. 

When is the draw for the World Cup 2026?

Attention now turns to who will play who in the group stage of the finals, with the draw taking place on Friday, 5 December, from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, at 17:00 GMT. 

How the pots are worked out

The final pot placings have been confirmed by FIFA, which has been determined by the current FIFA Rankings. 

Each pot will consist of twelve teams and be drawn into twelve groups of four.  With one team from each continent making up each group, which the exception of Europe, where there could be two in each group. 

The six play-off winners will likely be in Pot 4, as it will be unclear who will progress until they take place in March. 

The top four seeded teams will be 'paired' and placed into groups in opposite halves of the draw. 

What pot will England and Scotland be in?

England will be put in Pot 1 for the draw alongside the three hosts and the other highest-ranked countries. 

Scotland face a trickier task as they'll be drawn from Pot 3. 

FIFA World Cup 2026 draw projected pots

 

Who could England be drawn against at World Cup 2026?

If you're playing the best and worst-case scenario for England, they could face a tricky-looking group consisting of Uruguay, Norway and Ghana or a more favourable draw like Iran, Panama and Curacao. 

Who could Scotland be drawn against at World Cup 2026?

Scotland could find themselves up against a group with Spain, Senegal and a UEFA play-off winner like Italy or Wales or preferably, their group could look like Canada, Iran and Curacao. 

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