The road to the 2026 World Cup has delivered its first major milestone as FIFA released updated world rankings for all qualified nations, spanning global powerhouses like Spain to debutants such as New Zealand. With the expanded 48-team format, more nations than ever will take part when the tournament kicks off across the USA, Mexico and Canada in 188 days.
For traditional giants, qualification was largely straightforward: Italy, ranked 12th, were the only side in FIFA’s top 20 that had not secured their place before the March 2026 playoffs. Meanwhile, three nations outside the top 80, including Haiti and New Zealand, have booked their spots, adding underdog intrigue to the North American showpiece.
The rankings help determine the draw, which will divide teams into four pots. Hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA join heavyweights such as Spain, Argentina, France and Brazil in Pot 1. Pot 2 includes strong contenders like Croatia, Morocco and Japan, while Pot 3 houses Norway, Scotland, Egypt and rising sides Uzbekistan and Côte d’Ivoire. Pot 4 features Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, New Zealand and the remaining playoff winners.
As anticipation builds, fans are already speculating about potential «Groups of Death» — with a possible quartet of Argentina, Morocco, Italy and Norway topping the threat list. But history has shown surprises are inevitable: Costa Rica famously topped a brutal group in 2014, eliminating England and Italy.
Excitement will peak later today when the World Cup draw begins around 5 p.m. local time, transforming months of hypothetical matchups into the tournament’s official group stage. The mascots, Canada’s Maple the Moose, Mexico’s Zayu the Jaguar and the USA’s Clutch the Bald Eagle, are already in position as football prepares for its biggest edition yet.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has unleashed a blistering critique of his successor Gianni Infantino, accusing him of politicising football, sidelining players and transforming the governing body into a tool for world leaders.
