Can teams from the same country's region be in the same group?

Generally no. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn together, except UEFA which allows up to 2 European teams per group due to having the most qualifiers.

How are the pots determined?

Pots are primarily based on FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw. Host nations are automatically placed in Pot 1 regardless of ranking.

Is the draw completely random?

The draw is random within the constraints of seeding pots and continental restrictions. A computer verifies each selection is valid before proceeding.

Why do some groups seem unbalanced?

While seeding aims for balance, Pot 2-4 teams vary in quality. FIFA rankings used for seeding may not reflect current form, leading to perceived imbalances.

How the World Cup Draw Works

The FIFA World Cup draw is the process that determines which teams will face each other in the group stage. It follows strict rules to ensure competitive balance and logistical fairness.

Seeding Pots System

Teams are divided into 4 pots (for 48-team format: more pots) based on FIFA World Rankings:

Pot 1 (Seeds):
• Host nation(s) automatically placed
• Remaining spots filled by highest-ranked teams
• These teams are "seeded" and won't face each other in groups

Pots 2-4:
• Filled by remaining qualified teams
• Ranked by FIFA World Rankings at time of draw
• Each group receives one team from each pot

Continental Restrictions

To ensure geographic diversity and competitive balance:
• Same confederation teams cannot be in the same group (with one exception)
• UEFA exception: Due to having the most qualifiers, maximum 2 UEFA teams per group allowed
• This prevents, for example, Brazil and Argentina being drawn together

Draw Procedure

1. Pot 1 teams drawn first into Groups A, B, C, etc. 2. Pot 2 teams drawn into groups (following restrictions) 3. Pot 3 teams drawn 4. Pot 4 teams drawn last 5. Computer verifies all continental restrictions are met

Why Some Groups Look "Harder"

The seeding system doesn't guarantee equal group difficulty because:
• FIFA rankings may not reflect current form
• Pot 2-4 teams can vary significantly in quality
• Historical performance isn't factored into pots

2026 World Cup Draw Specifics

For the expanded 48-team, 12-group format:
• 3 host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico) each guaranteed Pot 1
• Remaining Pot 1 spots to highest-ranked teams
• Each group has 4 teams, plays round-robin
• Top 2 + best 8 third-place teams advance (32 total)