FIFA Confirms 2026 World Cup Draw Seeds: U.S., Canada, Mexico Among Favorites

European and Intercontinental Playoffs to Decide Final Spots in Expanded 48-Team Tournament

The curtain is about to rise on the 2026 World Cup draw, and the excitement is as thick as a packed stadium on match day. FIFA’s latest rankings have locked in the top seeds for the December 5 event, and, as ESPN reports, the three co-hosts—United States, Canada, and Mexico—are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Spain, Argentina, France, England, Portugal, Brazil, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany at the top of the pecking order. Croatia, despite their recent heroics, finds themselves in Pot 2 this time around—proof that even the mighty sometimes have to wait their turn at the front of the line. The draw follows the release of the latest World Cup rankings, where Spain climbed to the top spot and reshaped the global order ahead of the tournament.

These updated FIFA rankings aren’t just for bragging rights—they’re the compass guiding the main tournament seeds and shaping the playoff brackets in March. With six golden tickets still up for grabs in the expanded 48-nation field, the playoff draw (coming up this Thursday) is sure to have fans biting their nails and coaches reaching for the antacids. Those playoff brackets will ultimately decide the final qualifiers who complete the World Cup lineup.

Europe’s playoff race is shaping up to be a real dogfight, with sixteen teams battling for just four coveted World Cup spots. Italy leads Pot 1, joined by Denmark, Turkey, and Ukraine—each hoping to write their own Cinderella story. Pot 2 brings together Poland, Wales, Czechia, and Slovakia, while Pot 3 features the Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Pot 4 rounds things out with Northern Ireland, Romania, Sweden, and North Macedonia, all ready to play the role of giant-killer if given half a chance.

Meanwhile, on the intercontinental front, six teams are rolling up their sleeves for two precious spots. Iraq and Congo are seeded, while Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname are the wildcards—unseeded but certainly not to be underestimated. After all, in football, the underdog sometimes bites back.

With the draw just around the corner and playoff brackets set, the road to the 2026 World Cup is heating up faster than a summer pitch in Texas. Fans and national teams alike are glued to the action, hoping their country will punch its ticket and join the final 48 in North America. Buckle up—this ride is just getting started. With the tournament structure taking shape, attention is already shifting toward squad planning, including early projections for the USMNT roster.