England are in Pot 1 for Friday’s draw

With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, FIFA is finalising key details for what will be the biggest tournament in football history. The group-stage draw is set for Friday, December 5, in Washington, DC, where Gianni Infantino will be joined by former football legends to determine the fate of the qualified nations.

England, placed in Pot 1, will avoid the top-tier giants early on, though several challenging opponents still remain in the mix. Thomas Tuchel and his staff will discover England’s group opponents on the day of the draw, with the initial match schedule released on Saturday, December 6.

The expanded 2026 edition features 12 groups and 104 matches in the opening round. FIFA has published its official match allocation process, detailing how dates, venues, and kick-off times will be organised for all group-stage fixtures.

However, the full schedule cannot be finalised just yet. Two spots in the tournament remain open, with the inter-confederation play-offs scheduled for March in Mexico. Following the completion of these play-offs, FIFA will publish the final and complete match schedule next year.