2026 World Cup: Switzerland knows its hat for the draw

The Nati will be playing in Pot 2 at the 2026 World Cup group draw, which will be held on 5 December in Washington. The competition will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Decisive draw on 5 December

The Swiss team coached by Murat Yakin now knows its position for the draw for the group stages of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa? 2026 World Cup. Scheduled for Friday 5 December from 6pm (Swiss time) in Washington, the ceremony will determine the Swiss team's opponents.

Placed in Pot 2, Switzerland will not be able to cross paths with the eleven other nations in this hat: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Australia and Austria.

Seeds and favourites for the tournament

Pot 1 brings together the most prestigious nations in world football. In addition to the three host countries (United States, Mexico and Canada), there is reigning world champion Argentina, European champion Spain, as well as France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Fearsome opponents in the lower pots

Switzerland will have to keep their wits about them against the teams in Pots 3 and 4, who offer a number of potential pitfalls. Erling's Norway Haaland, ranked in Pot 3, represents a serious threat. Italy, who will be trying to qualify in March via the play-offs, could also be among the possible opponents.

The rules of the draw

At the ceremony on 5 December, FIFA will divide the qualified teams into twelve groups, identified from A to L. The draw will be made in hat order, from pot 1 to pot 4. There is one important rule: each group may only contain one team from each continental confederation, with the exception of UEFA, which may place up to two European representatives in the same group.

Ronaldo available to start the World Cup

In other competition-related news, Cristiano Ronaldo will be present for Portugal's first match at the 2026 World Cup. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner received a one-match suspension and a two-match suspended sentence after being sent off in the match against Ireland last November.

FIFA handed down this sanction following the elbowing of Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 defeat in Dublin. The sending-off was a first in the international career of the now 40-year-old “CR7”. The player has already served his match suspension against Armenia, the match that secured Portugal's ticket to the World Cup.