The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon. From June 11 to July 19, 2026, Canada, the United States and Mexico will host 48 nations for the 23rd edition of the international tournament, the first to bring together such a large number of participants. The draw for the groups in the first round, scheduled for December 5, will finally determine the complete picture of the competition.
If all the qualified teams are not yet known, Fifa has already announced the composition of the four hats. The nations which qualify via the play-offs next March will be included in pot 4. Surprise, Italy could find themselves in this hat, normally reserved for teams considered to be the weakest.
Pot 1 includes 12 nations with the three host countries (United States, Mexico and Canada) and the top nine teams in the Fifa rankings, including France. Pots 2 and 3 bring together the following 24 teams, while pot 4 welcomes the lowest ranked nations as well as the winners of the European and world play-offs.
Explosive opening with Mexico?
Even if the draw has not yet taken place, several scenarios are emerging. The host countries will play in groups A, B and D respectively, and the opening match will pit Mexico against an opponent from pot 3, but not Panama, also from America.
On the African side, five nations could face El Tri
during a match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and South Africa. Six other countries are also affected by this type of confrontation: Norway, Scotland, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Verdict in nine days.
