The 2030 World Cup draw will decide the make-up of the 12 groups. Here is the expected date, the role of the FIFA ranking in the pots, the likely seeded teams and how the 48 qualifiers will be split.
FIFA usually holds the final draw a few months before kick-off, once qualification is complete. For 2030, it is therefore expected in late 2029 or early 2030. The date and venue will be confirmed by FIFA — the draw is often a high-profile media event held in one of the host countries.
The 48 teams are split into four pots of 12, based on the FIFA world ranking at the time of the draw. Pot 1 contains the host nations and the highest-ranked sides (the seeds); the following pots group teams in descending order of strength. One team is then drawn into each group from each pot.
Distribution rules apply: as a rule, two teams from the same confederation are not placed in the same group (except UEFA, which has too many), to ensure balance and variety. Host nations are generally placed at the top of their group automatically.
It's impossible to lock in the list before the draw, but the hosts (Spain, Portugal, Morocco) and the top nations in the FIFA ranking — think recent finalists and favourites — will most likely sit in Pot 1. The real pecking order will depend on the results of qualification and how the ranking moves by 2029.
It is expected in late 2029 or early 2030, after qualification ends. The official date will be announced by FIFA.
The 48 teams are split into 4 pots of 12 based on the FIFA ranking, then drawn into 12 groups of 4, as a rule avoiding two teams from the same confederation in one group (except UEFA).
Yes, Spain, Portugal and Morocco qualify automatically and will most likely be placed as seeds in Pot 1.
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