🏆 2026 World Cup draw: focus on the 48 teams and the new format

The football world holds its breath: the Friday, December 5, 2025, has Washington DC., will take place on official draw of the 2026 World Cup, the first edition to be played at 48 teams. The event will take place at the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and will mark a historic turning point for world football.

Organised jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, This expanded edition will bring together the best selections from around the world, with a new format and a more packed schedule. For the Swiss, who hope to take another step forward after their solid performances in recent editions, this draw will be crucial to know their group, their route and their opponents.

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⚽ A historic print run

The 2026 edition will be the first to welcome 48 nations, compared to 32 previously. A major change that implies:

• 12 groups of 4 teams, with 3 matches each in the first round.
• 104 matches in total, which is 40 more than in 2022.
• A direct elimination phase extended, with a 32-team bracket.

The three host countries will already be placed in predetermined groups for logistical reasons:
🇲🇽 Mexico (Group A), 🇨🇦 Canada (Group B) and 🇺🇸 United States (Group D).

This new format should offer more geographical diversity, new unexpected duels and an extended spectacle across the entire North American continent.

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🗓 The program for the first round

Although the group assignments will only be known after the draw on December 5th, the general schedule is already set:

• Opening match: June 11, 2026 in Mexico (Estadio Azteca).
• Group stage: June 11 → June 27, 2026.
• Single elimination phase: from June 29 to July 15.
• Final: July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium (New Jersey, USA).

Each team will play three group matches, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-place finishers qualified for the round of 32.

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🇨🇭 What this changes for Switzerland

For Switzerland, this draw will be decisive.
With 48 teams in contention, the chances of qualification and a prolonged run increase, but the variety of opponents makes the competition more unpredictable.

The Swiss players will have to adapt to long journeys between the three host countries, varied weather conditions, and contrasting playing styles. The national team staff is already working on the logistical aspects and physical preparation for this more demanding format.

The Swiss public, always passionate during major competitions, will eagerly await the draw's verdict to find out the Nati group and the first posters for this XXL World Cup.

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📅 The format and stakes of the draw

The draw will follow the usual principle:

• THE 48 selections divided into four pots of 12 teams according to the world ranking.
• No nation from the same continent (except Europe) will be able to be in the same group.
• The hosts will occupy the top positions in their respective groups.

On December 5, 2025, the 12 groups of the initial phase will finally be revealed, thus symbolically kicking off the countdown to the 2026 World Cup.

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📰 Key points to remember

• 📍 Draw December 5, 2025, Washington DC.
• 🌍 Number of teams : 48 national selections
• ⚽ Format 12 groups of 4, 104 matches
• 🇨🇭 Swiss objective : to get out of the group and aim for a historic quarter-final
• 🏟 Tournament begins June 11, 2026
• 🏁 Final July 19, 2026

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