The organization has released details about the draw for the global national team competition; see more information below
With 365 days to go until the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has announced when the group stage matches will be defined. The group draw will be held in December 2025. The exact date and location of the event are yet to be announced.
The groups may be defined before all participating teams have been defined. The deadline for confirming all 48 countries in the competition is March 2026, with the end of all the Qualifiers. Brazil and 12 other teams have already secured their places in the tournament.
In addition to the three co-hosts (USA, Canada and Mexico) and the five-time champion team, the other teams that have confirmed their places in advance are: Argentina (current champion), Australia, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
FIFA expects 6.5 million fans to attend the World Cup in North America. There are 16 host cities in total, which will display countdown clocks on Wednesday to mark the one-year mark until the start of the event.
The world soccer governing body added that tickets for the 2026 World Cup will go on sale to the general public in the coming months without specifying when. Hospitality packages are expected to be launched in July.
