FIFA modified the draw for 2026 to create separate pathways to the semifinals for the four-highest ranked teams: Spain, Argentina, France and England. That means if Spain and Argentina win their groups, the world's Nos. 1 and 2 teams can not meet prior to the final.

The 2026 World Cup draw is here, with Friday's FIFA event revealing which groups will be playing in next year's soccer tournament. Will the USMNT have an easy path out of the group stages? Which one will be the so-called "group of death"?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw takes place on Friday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Forty-two of the 48 participants for next summer's event in the United States, Canada and Mexico have been determined. The final six will be decided in various playoff matches in March.

The UEFA pathway offers four places and features 16 teams: The 12 runners-up from the European Qualifiers group stage, plus four teams that qualified via the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League. These teams will contest eight semifinals and four finals, with the winners of the finals earning World Cup qualification.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, things will be a lot different than past tournaments. The number of teams will jump from 32 to 48, altering the competition's format and creating a new set of opportunities and challenges for the world of soccer.