2026 World Cup draw: Date, details and how to watch | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is set to take place on Friday as the qualified teams learn their group-stage opponents.

England and Scotland are both involved in the draw, while Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could join them via March’s European play-offs.

Next summer’s tournament will be the first in an expanded 48-team format. There will be 12 groups of eight teams, with the group winners, runners-up and eight best-ranked third-place finishers progressing to the knockout rounds.

England are seeded in Pot One, with Scotland in Pot Three. England and Scotland could face each other in the group stage. All potential play-off winners are in Pot Four for Friday’s draw.

Special seeding has also been provided to the top four seeds: Spain, Argentina, France and England. The Three Lions can not meet any of those sides until the semi-final at the earliest.

Ahead of the draw, we’ve provided the details you need.

Date, details and how to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw

When is the World Cup draw?

The 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington on Friday 5th December 2025. The ceremony, which will feature performances from Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and the Village People, is due to take place at 5pm UK time.

Where can I watch the World Cup draw?

The draw will be broadcast on the BBC. UK viewers can watch the draw via BBC iPlayer or BBC Two from 5pm.

When and where is the 2026 World Cup?

Canada, the USA, and Mexico will co-host next summer’s tournament. The World Cup will begin on June 11th 2026, with the opening fixture featuring Mexico at the nation’s Azteca Stadium. The final will take place on July 19th 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Read – A brilliant XI of top players who will miss the 2026 World Cup

See more – The 42 nations to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far

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