Here’s a full breakdown of the 2026 World Cup group stage draw. The World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT, 5 p.m. GMT).

Italy are set to finish second in Group I while Norway is set to finish first and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria will miss a second successive edition of the World Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo in the African play-off final after a 1-1 draw.

Forty-eight nations will compete in the newly-expanded format in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, attempting to etch their name into the history books and join the pantheon of greats to have lifted the golden trophy aloft. Many have already qualified for the tournament but only a handful of countries harbor genuine hopes of world domination.

Italy requires a minor miracle if it’s to bag automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup on Sunday when it travels to the San Siro to take on Italy. Erling Haaland and company have enjoyed a seamless run through UEFA qualifying thus far and sit atop Group I, three points ahead of Italy and with a far superior goal difference.

Norway is one of the teams that have pretty much clinched a spot in the World Cup, thanks to carrying a 17-goal advantage over the Italians. It has helped the Scandinavian nation qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1998, finishing first in the group.

Meanwhile, DR Congo - after beating Nigeria - will be Africa’s sole representative at the FIFA inter-confederation play-off stage. The inter-confederation play-offs will be conducted in March next year, with six teams from five confederations playing for the final two spots at the World Cup.

England and Albania already know their finishing spots in World Cup qualifying ahead of Sunday’s showdown in Tirana.

England beat Albania 2-0 on Sunday evening to finish the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying with a flawless record.Manager Thomas Tuchel made seven changes to the side that started the 2-0 win over