FIFA revealed on Tuesday that the top four seeded nations at the 2026 World Cup will occupy two separate halves of the draw for the expanded 48-team tournament, meaning they could avoid facing each other until the semi-final stage.

Top-ranked Spain and World Cup holders Argentina, the second seeds, will be drawn into opposite halves of the draw, and the same will apply to third-ranked France and world number four England.

This will ensure that, should they both win their groups, the two highest ranked teams will be kept apart until the final.

On Tuesday, FIFA published the four pots into which the 48 qualified teams will be placed, as well as the procedures for the World Cup draw which will take place on December 5 (1700 GMT) in Washington DC.

The top four nations are all placed in Pot

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