FIFA has confirmed the 2026 World Cup pots ahead of the draw on December 5.
The top four-ranked sides will be protected if they win their groups.
Under this scenario, Spain (1) and Argentina (2) cannot meet until the final, the same for France (3) and England (4).
Matches between these countries can only occur from the semi-finals in a ‘tennis’-style bracket.
However, if any of the teams fail to win their group but still advance to the knockout stage, their ranking protection will be removed.
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, 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 Play-Off A, B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2.