The global football community turns its eyes to Washington D.C. today for a pivotal moment in the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The final draw, which will determine the group stage fate of 48 nations, is set to take place, and Indian fans are eager to tune in despite the late hour.
When and Where to Watch the Draw in India
The ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts begins at 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Thursday, December 5. For viewers in India, there is a specific broadcast situation to note. No Indian television channels have secured the rights to telecast the draw live. However, the digital realm offers a clear path. Fans across the country can follow the event via live streaming on the official FIFA+ app and on FIFA's various social media handles.
Historic Format and Pre-Assigned Hosts
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is a historic expansion to 48 teams. These teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The seeding pots have been finalized, with Pot 1 containing the top nine FIFA-ranked nations along with the three host countries.
In an unusual pre-draw move, the host nations have already been slotted into specific groups to streamline logistics. Mexico will headline Group A, Canada is in Group B, and the United States will feature in Group D. This edition will also welcome four debutant nations: Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, adding fresh narratives to the tournament.
Complete Draw Pots and What's Next
The draw pots reflect the current football hierarchy and set the stage for potential "Groups of Death." Pot 1 is stacked with giants and hosts, while Pots 2 and 3 contain dangerous dark horses and continental champions. The final pot includes the debutants and teams yet to qualify through playoffs.
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, South Africa.
Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Curacao, Ghana, Haiti, New Zealand, plus four European playoff winners and two intercontinental playoff winners.
Once the draw is complete, the roadmap for the world's biggest sporting event will be clear. Fans and teams alike will begin dissecting the fixtures, planning travels, and dreaming of glory in North America in 2026. For Indian supporters, the late-night digital stream is the gateway to witnessing the first major step of this expanded World Cup journey.
