FIFA has released the official procedure for the 2026 World Cup final draw, giving a first clear look at how the expanded tournament will be organized. The draw is scheduled for December 2025 and will determine the composition of the 12 groups in the new 48-team format.

According to FIFA, the teams will be divided into four pots based on seeding, with the draw designed to place the field across the tournament groups in a structured way. The governing body said the format follows the competition’s expanded setup for the tournament across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The 2026 edition will be the first men’s World Cup to feature 48 teams, increasing the number of groups from eight to 12. FIFA’s published procedure is meant to explain how teams will be allocated before the final tournament schedule is set.

The official draw details are part of FIFA’s wider preparations for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by three countries and staged in cities across North America. The release gives national teams and fans a clearer roadmap as qualification and planning continue ahead of the event.