FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain and Argentina among top seeds
What's the story
The first pot of top seeds for the December 5 FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament draw has been confirmed. The update comes from FIFA's latest rankings released on Wednesday, after four continental qualifying rounds were completed. Along with co-hosts United States, Canada and Mexico, the list includes world number one Spain, reigning champions Argentina, France, England and Portugal. Brazil and Netherlands also made it to the elite group along with Belgium and Germany.
Seeding shift
Croatia's drop to pot 2
Notably, Croatia, the 2022 semi-finalist and 2018 runner-up, have been demoted to pot 2 for the draw ceremony. This was decided by FIFA's updated rankings. The seeding is separate from the playoff brackets in March that will finalize six teams for the expanded 48-nation tournament. A total of 22 teams are in contention with Europe contributing 16 teams vying for four World Cup spots.
European brackets
Italy's playoff challenge
Italy, a four-time world champion, are the star of the European brackets. The 12th-ranked team was pushed into playoffs after finishing second in a qualifying group topped by Norway. They will be drawn at home against a fourth-seeded team on Thursday. This could be North Macedonia, who had shockingly knocked out Italy in 2022.
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Playoff winners to face top-seeded teams
The playoff winners will secure qualification spots in the World Cup. The intercontinental brackets will see top-seeded Iraq and Congo await the winners of semi-finals involving Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
Teams
Remaining World Cup spots to be filled in March
There are still six spots left for the World Cup, four of which will be filled by European teams through UEFA's playoffs. Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland are all in contention to qualify this way in March 2026. The other two remaining spots will be filled by teams from other confederations with Iraq, DR Congo, Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname vying for qualification through two inter-confederation paths.