The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup is about to take place, and the complete list of teams in all 12 groups will finally be revealed. However, the tournament still has six undecided playoff berths, which will not be confirmed until March next year. This edition of the World Cup features three major changes, sparking intense global attention. Meanwhile, FIFA has released a poster listing all past champions—an action that raises an intriguing question: Could the traditional hierarchy be broken, ushering in a brand-new world champion? And can Portugal complete an extraordinary double, winning two major tournaments within just two years?
According to official arrangements, the draw will be held at the renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in the early hours of Saturday (Beijing time). Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand will serve as the host, joined by a star-studded lineup of guests including NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal, adding prestige and excitement to the ceremony.
One of the biggest highlights of this World Cup is the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, further broadening the diversity and inclusiveness of global football. Asia will see two newcomers—Jordan and Uzbekistan—make their debut, while Cape Verde emerges as an exciting new representative for Africa. Curaçao have reached the World Cup for the first time from the CONCACAF region, and Haiti return to the biggest stage after a 51-year absence. In Europe, Norway, Scotland, and Austria return to the tournament for the first time since the 1990s. Most notably, Oceania finally receives a guaranteed slot, making New Zealand one of the biggest beneficiaries of the expanded format—enhancing the regional and stylistic variety of the competition.
Expansion also brings significant changes to the group-stage format. There will be 12 groups in total, with the top two teams in each group advancing, along with the eight best third-place teams—making 32 teams in the knockout stage. In other words, out of the 48 participants, only 16 will be eliminated in the group stage. As a result, the once fiercely competitive group phase now resembles more of a football carnival. For underdogs, it is a rare opportunity to participate at the highest level; for traditional powerhouses, it becomes more like a warm-up before the real battles begin. And unlike the past, Germany’s embarrassing back-to-back exits in 2018 and 2022 are unlikely to happen under this softened format.
Another major change is the introduction of the highly discussed “Top-Four Separation Rule.” The four traditional giants—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—are allocated to different sections of the bracket based on their FIFA ranking. If all four teams win their groups, they will be placed into four separate quarter-brackets, ensuring they do not meet each other before the final. This rule is designed to preserve the star appeal of the tournament and guarantee marquee matchups in later stages. Of course, if any of these teams fail to top their group, early heavyweight clashes could still occur.
Despite the expanded field and new rules, the core mechanics of the draw remain familiar. The 48 teams are divided into four pots of 12 teams, corresponding to the four group-stage slots. The three host nations have special status—each is placed in Pot 1 with their group position pre-assigned to ensure home matches. The six playoff winners will all enter in Pot 4, meaning that if former European giants Italy qualify through the playoffs, they would still fall into the “dark horse pot.”
In conjunction with the draw, FIFA released a vintage-style graphic showcasing every world champion from Uruguay’s triumph in the inaugural tournament to the current titleholder, Argentina. Only eight nations have ever lifted the trophy: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay from South America; and Germany, Italy, France, England, and Spain from Europe. All have already secured qualification—except Italy, whose fate remains the final unresolved question. The poster has sparked debate: Is football on the brink of welcoming its ninth new world champion?
Tracing the timeline of modern champions, Spain were the most recent first-time winners in 2010, powered by a legendary midfield that dominated global football for years, winning one World Cup and two European Championships. Before them, France ushered in a new era with their maiden victory in 1998, winning another World Cup just seven years later. Remarkably, Kylian Mbappé was born after France’s first triumph and won a World Cup before turning 20.
Among potential new kings, Portugal stand out. Just half a year ago, they stormed through the UEFA Nations League finals with consecutive victories over Denmark, Germany, and Spain, lifting the trophy for the second time and reasserting their strength. Cristiano Ronaldo, who will soon turn 41, has already won the European Championship—but the only major prize missing from his illustrious career is the World Cup. The world now wonders: Does Portugal possess the strength to win both the European Championship and the World Cup within a two-year span? And can Ronaldo finally cap his legendary career with the one title he has long dreamed of lifting? Fans everywhere eagerly await the answer.
