All you need to know about the 2026 World Cup draw
The draw for the first 48-team World Cup takes place on Friday, ahead of the finals from June 11 to July 19 next year in North America...
✨ Key Highlights
The draw for the expanded 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams for the first time, is set to take place on Friday, ahead of the finals scheduled from June 11 to July 19 next year across North America.
- Teams are divided into four pots of 12 based on world rankings, with the four highest-ranked nations (Spain, Argentina, France, and England) kept in separate groups to prevent early encounters.
- The three host nations have been pre-assigned to groups: United States to Group D, Mexico to Group A (hosting the opening game on June 11), and Canada to Group B.
- The tournament will include an extra knockout round featuring a round of 32, meaning only 16 of the 48 teams will be eliminated after the 72-game group phase.
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Regulations Set for Mashemeji Derby as 2026 World Cup Draw Approaches - December 2025
The delayed 98th edition of the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards is scheduled for this Sunday at Nyayo Stadium. Gor Mahia, who are the hosts, enter the match leading the league by five points. The club has announced stringent regulations, including a Sh500 fee for vendors to access the gates and a parking fee set at Sh100. These measures are intended to control crowd flow, enhance safety, and manage revenue for the match. Separately, the draw for the expanded 2026 World Cup is set to take place on Friday. This tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time, with the finals scheduled from June 11 to July 19 next year across North America.
