The 2026 World Cup Draw: A Day That Can Change Everything

The tension is already building. On December 5, the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place, officially setting the course for the 48 qualified nations heading into the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Beyond the spectacle, the ceremony brings calculations, fear and a silent checklist of forbidden names: the opponents no one wants in their group.

With an expanded format where every detail matters, each pot hides real threats—teams with dominant momentum, dangerous generations, established identities or stars capable of deciding matches on their own. Pot by pot, these are the teams every nation hopes to avoid.

Pot 1: Spain, Argentina & France — Giants in Full Power

Pot 1 is loaded with heavyweights, but three stand above the rest.
Spain enter as perhaps the most feared team in the entire draw: 30 official matches unbeaten, surpassing the record of their 2010 World Cup-winning generation, and playing with a perfect blend of youth, intensity and a clear identity under Luis de la Fuente.

Argentina, champions in 2022, dominated South America with 38 points in the qualifiers, nine more than Ecuador, and arrive with a consolidated squad centered around Lionel Messi.

Completing the trio is France, undefeated in the European qualifiers, finalists in the last two World Cups and sitting third in the FIFA ranking. Talent, depth, experience—an impossible combination to ignore.

Pot 2: Colombia, Japan & Morocco — Second-tier Teams Playing Like World Powers

They may not be in Pot 1, but all three arrive at a level comparable to the world’s top contenders.
Colombia rediscovered its competitive DNA: third in CONMEBOL, with key results against Argentina and stars like Luis Díaz, they enter with maturity and a difficult style to break down.

Japan steamrolled Asia with 30 goals scored and only three conceded, boasting a generation fully settled in Europe. Their dramatic 3–2 comeback win over Brazil was a global wake-up call.

Morocco, semifinalists in Qatar 2022, had a perfect qualifying campaign and maintain the core of Walid Regragui’s well-organized, high-level structure.

Pot 3: Norway, Egypt & Paraguay — Serious Threats From the Middle Tier

Pot 3 hides dangerous teams with well-established projects.

Norway is no longer just Haaland and Ødegaard: they finished unbeaten, delivered statement wins and developed a pressing system that suffocates opponents.

Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, dominated African qualifiers with eight wins and two draws, returning to the World Cup after eight years with a balanced, high-level squad.

Paraguay, coached by Gustavo Alfaro, return to the World Cup after 16 years by embracing a competitive, rugged identity—earning wins over Argentina and Brazil in the process.

Pot 4: Italy, Ghana & Poland — The Dark Horses No One Wants

Often underestimated, Pot 4 might be the most treacherous of all.

If Italy secure their playoff ticket, they immediately become the nightmare draw: Euro 2020 champions, experienced, unpredictable and desperate to prove themselves after missing recent editions.

Ghana arrive as group leaders in Africa with eight wins and only one defeat, powered by a young, athletic, fast core that can trouble any structured opponent.

Poland, led by Robert Lewandowski, maintain their trademark solidity and tactical discipline—qualities that make them dangerous regardless of the opponent.