Washington, D.C. – The world’s attention will be focused on Washington D.C. on Friday, December 5th, 2025, as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This edition marks a monumental shift in the tournament’s history, expanding to accommodate 48 teams for the first time.
This expansion presents unprecedented opportunities for nations across all continents, particularly those from Africa and Asia, to showcase their talent on the global stage. The 48 participating teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, a departure from previous formats. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32, intensifying the competition.
The draw ceremony, scheduled to commence at 6 PM Algerian time, is expected to be attended by prominent figures, reflecting the significance of this historic World Cup.
Draw Mechanics and Potential Challenges
The qualified teams will be seeded into four pots based on the FIFA rankings as of November 2025. Pot 1 will include the three host nations – the United States, Mexico, and Canada – alongside the top-ranked teams in the world. FIFA regulations stipulate that teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same group, with the exception of Europe, where a maximum of two European teams may be present in a single group.
Algeria’s Position
The Algerian national team, Les Fennecs, finds itself in Pot 3, a position that presents both opportunities and challenges. This placement means they could potentially face formidable opponents from Pots 1 and 2. The draw will be a pivotal moment for Algeria as they seek to secure their place in this expanded and historic World Cup.
Algeria hopes to make a deep run into the tournament and make the country proud.
