When is the 2026 World Cup Draw? – Date, Time & Latest Odds
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here - and punters across the UK will be tuning in to see who England and Scotland will face next June.
With 42 countries already qualified and more still fighting for the remaining spots, the expanded 48-team tournament is shaping up to deliver drama, value bets and surprise group dynamics.
If you're thinking about early bets on group outcomes or future knockout chances - now's the time to pay attention.
Here at Free Bets, we explain how the draw will happen, plus we've got the latest world cup betting odds from the top UK betting sites.
What is the format for the 2026 World Cup draw?
- The 2026 draw uses a four-pot seeding system based on ranking + host status.
- Pot 1 includes the three hosts (USA, Canada, Mexico) plus the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.
- Pot 4 isn't complete yet - six final spots will be taken by teams coming through the playoffs in March 2026, which adds an extra wildcard element for punters.
- The host nations have pre-assigned slots: Mexico → Group A, Canada → Group B, USA → Group D.
- Draw guidelines ensure teams from the same confederation are kept mostly apart - except in Europe, where up to two UEFA teams per group are allowed. That means there's a possibility for familiar European match-ups.
When is the 2026 World Cup draw?
- The draw is scheduled for Friday, 5 December 2025, at 5:00pm GMT
- The 2026 World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup draw?
Viewers in the UK will be able to follow the draw live via the official channels - including the FIFA website and YouTube channel - and via domestic broadcasters such as the BBC.
For punters, that means you'll be able to watch and place early bets with full info, as the draw unfolds.
Latest World Cup Odds
Who could England face in the World Cup?
With England in Pot 1, their toughest task will be teams from Pot 2, which include Senegal, Morocco, and Croatia.
If the draw goes well, England could avoid traditional heavyweights, which might make them a tempting early bet to reach the latter stages.
Who could Scotland face in the World Cup?
Steve Clarke's Scotland find themselves in Pot 3 - meaning their draw could go many ways.
Rules for confederation separation give hope that they will avoid the toughest teams from Pot 1 or Pot 2.
Scotland could be drawn against one of the host nations - USA, Canada, Mexico - which might offer a friendlier group - definitely one to watch if you fancy backing them to make it out of the group stages for the first time.
