FIFA World Cup
The expanded 48-team tournament - up from the 32-nation field that competed at the FIFA World Cup 2022 - will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year.
With Asia set to be well represented, the-AFC.com brings you all the details of the Final Draw.
With Asia set to be well represented, the-AFC.com brings you all the details of the Final Draw.
Date and time
The Final Draw will take place on Friday, 5 December 2025 at 12:00 Eastern Time (UTC 17:00).
Venue
The Draw will be hosted by the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
The Final Draw will take place on Friday, 5 December 2025 at 12:00 Eastern Time (UTC 17:00).
Venue
The Draw will be hosted by the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Teams involved
The following 42 nations will be represented in the final draw:
The following 42 nations will be represented in the final draw:
- Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA
- AFC: Australia, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
- CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Concacaf: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- OFC: New Zealand
- UEFA: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Remaining spots
Six of the 48 teams at FIFA World Cup 26 have yet to be determined, and will only be known in March 2026.
Four will come from the 16-team UEFA playoffs, which will be contested by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine and Wales.
The other two spots will be contested by six teams - Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname - at the FIFA World Cup 26 Playoff Tournament.
Six of the 48 teams at FIFA World Cup 26 have yet to be determined, and will only be known in March 2026.
Four will come from the 16-team UEFA playoffs, which will be contested by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine and Wales.
The other two spots will be contested by six teams - Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname - at the FIFA World Cup 26 Playoff Tournament.
Asia's challengers
Australia
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
Fun fact: After a 32-year absence following their 1974 debut, Australia finally returned to the FIFA World Cup at Germany 2006 and have qualified for every edition since.
IR Iran
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Group stage
Fun fact: Iran will be making a fourth consecutive appearance at the Finals and seventh overall, having made their debut in 1978.
Australia
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
Fun fact: After a 32-year absence following their 1974 debut, Australia finally returned to the FIFA World Cup at Germany 2006 and have qualified for every edition since.
IR Iran
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Group stage
Fun fact: Iran will be making a fourth consecutive appearance at the Finals and seventh overall, having made their debut in 1978.
Japan
Previous appearances: 7
Best result: Round of 16
Fun fact: Japan have featured in every edition of the Finals since making their debut at France '98
Jordan
Previous appearances: Nil
Fun fact: Jordan confirmed their FIFA World Cup Finals debut in their 11th qualification attempt.
Previous appearances: 7
Best result: Round of 16
Fun fact: Japan have featured in every edition of the Finals since making their debut at France '98
Jordan
Previous appearances: Nil
Fun fact: Jordan confirmed their FIFA World Cup Finals debut in their 11th qualification attempt.
Korea Republic
Previous appearances: 11
Best result: Fourth (2002)
Best result: Having made their Finals' debut in 1954, Korea Republic had to wait till 1986 for their next appearance but have since qualified for every edition.
Qatar
Previous appearances: 1
Best result: Group stage (2022)
Fun fact: Qatar will be seeking a first win on the global stage after their debut appearance as hosts ended in three defeats.
Previous appearances: 11
Best result: Fourth (2002)
Best result: Having made their Finals' debut in 1954, Korea Republic had to wait till 1986 for their next appearance but have since qualified for every edition.
Qatar
Previous appearances: 1
Best result: Group stage (2022)
Fun fact: Qatar will be seeking a first win on the global stage after their debut appearance as hosts ended in three defeats.
Saudi Arabia
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Round of 16 (1994)
Fun fact: Having advanced to the Round of 16 in their debut appearance in 1994, Saudi Arabia's subsequent participations ended in the group stage
Uzbekistan
Previous appearances: Nil
Fun fact: Uzbekistan secured their place in the Finals after seven previous qualification campaigns ended in disappointment and heartbreak.
Previous appearances: 6
Best result: Round of 16 (1994)
Fun fact: Having advanced to the Round of 16 in their debut appearance in 1994, Saudi Arabia's subsequent participations ended in the group stage
Uzbekistan
Previous appearances: Nil
Fun fact: Uzbekistan secured their place in the Finals after seven previous qualification campaigns ended in disappointment and heartbreak.
Pots and procedures
The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada) and D1 (USA), as per the match schedule released last year. The full list of pots is as follows:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff A, B, C and D, FIFA Playoff Tournament 1 and 2
The draw will begin with all the teams from pot 1 being drawn to groups A to L. It will then continue with pots 2, 3 and 4 in that order. Further details about the final draw pots and procedures can be found HERE.
The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada) and D1 (USA), as per the match schedule released last year. The full list of pots is as follows:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff A, B, C and D, FIFA Playoff Tournament 1 and 2
The draw will begin with all the teams from pot 1 being drawn to groups A to L. It will then continue with pots 2, 3 and 4 in that order. Further details about the final draw pots and procedures can be found HERE.
Fixtures
Full details of match venues and kickoff times will be revealed on Saturday.
Opening match
The opening match will be held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which also hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals, before the tournament unfolds over nearly six weeks, culminating in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Sources: FIFA, AFP, AFC
Full details of match venues and kickoff times will be revealed on Saturday.
Opening match
The opening match will be held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which also hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals, before the tournament unfolds over nearly six weeks, culminating in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Sources: FIFA, AFP, AFC
