When is the World Cup 2026 draw? Date, time, pots and how to watch
Radio Times has everything you need to know about the World Cup 2026 draw, including date, time, pots, and how to watch.
Today is the day. Football fans around the globe will be watching intently as the nations heading to World Cup 2026 discover what awaits them in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
FIFA appear intent on making the draw an event, adding a lengthy list of performers, but, in truth, all anyone really cares about is which teams are allocated into the expanded tournament's 12 groups.
It's once the draw is done that a major tournament really starts to feel real. Fans can start plotting out their potential route to the final and who stands in their way.
For supporters around the world, there's not long to wait now.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the details for the World Cup 2026 draw.
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When is the World Cup 2026 draw?
The draw for the World Cup 2026 will take place on Friday 5th December 2025.
The draw will be made at approximately 5pm UK time.
You can watch the World Cup 2026 draw live on the BBC, on the BBC Sport website, or on FIFA+, while there will also be live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
When is the full schedule for World Cup 2026 revealed?
The World Cup 2026 schedule, including the venues and kick-off times for all 104 fixtures, will be revealed on a FIFA live broadcast at 5pm on Saturday 6th December 2025.
Fans can tune in to watch on FIFA+ and the FIFA YouTube.
What are the pots for the World Cup 2026 draw?
The 48 nations at World Cup 2026 have been split into four pots, with one team from each set to be drawn into each of the 12 groups at the tournament.
Pot 1 is made up of the three hosts and the nine highest teams in the FIFA Rankings, with the remaining pots filled according to each nation's ranking.
FIFA has yet to confirm where the UEFA and Confederation play-off winners, who will take the six remaining spots, will be put but they're expected to be in Pot 4, irrespective of their place on the FIFA Rankings.
Though up to two UEFA nations can be drawn in the same group, teams from any of the other confederations cannot be drawn together.
Pot 1
- United States
- Mexico
- Canada
- Spain
- Argentina
- France
- England
- Brazil
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Germany
Pot 2
- Croatia
- Morocco
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Iran
- Senegal
- South Korea
- Ecuador
- Austria
- Australia
Pot 3
- Norway
- Panama
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Scotland
- Paraguay
- Tunisia
- Ivory Coast
- Uzbekistan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
Pot 4
- Jordan
- Cape Verde
- Ghana
- Curacao
- Haiti
- New Zealand
- UEFA play-off winner 1
- UEFA play-off winner 2
- UEFA play-off winner 3
- UEFA play-off winner 4
- Confederations play-off winner 1
- Confererations play-off winner 2
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When is the World Cup 2026?
The World Cup 2026 will start on Thursday 11th June 2026 and run until the final on Sunday 19th July 2026.
The expanded tournament is set to be held in 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
When are the Village People performing at the World Cup 2026 draw?
The Village People will perform YMCA after the World Cup 2026 draw has been completed.
The Disco outfit are due to conclude proceedings with their famous hit, which American president Donald Trump used during his election campaign.
Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, and Nicole Scherzinger will also perform as part of the "world-class entertainment line-up" at the event.
Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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