FIFA has published preliminary information about the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup. According to this data, the national team of Uzbekistan has been placed in the difficult and highly responsible third pot. This is considered a historical stage for Uzbek football and an important indicator in preparing for the major tournament.
FIFA divided the national teams into the following pots:
Pot 1 — the leading giants of world football:
Canada, Mexico, USA (hosts), Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
Pot 2 — strong and highly competitive teams:
Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
Pot 3 — the pot in which Uzbekistan is placed:
Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
Pot 4 — playoff winners and intercontinental qualifiers:
Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, the winners of European playoffs (A, B, C, D), and winners of two intercontinental playoff matches.
Uzbekistan in Pot 3 — meaning several opponents are already excluded!
According to the draw rules, each group consists of four teams, and one team from each pot enters the group. Therefore, Uzbekistan will not face any team from Pot 3 in the group stage.
Meaning Norway, Egypt, South Africa, Scotland, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Qatar and others cannot be drawn into Uzbekistan’s group.
Another rule applies: teams from the same confederation cannot be placed in the same group — UEFA is the only exception, because the number of European teams is very high.
Playoff qualification rules — a new system and new opportunities
At the 2026 World Cup, 48 teams will participate for the first time, forming 12 groups.
Teams advancing to the knockout round:
the teams placed 1st and 2nd in each group,
plus the eight best teams finishing in 3rd place.
This significantly increases Uzbekistan’s chances.
The draw ceremony — expected to be a historic night
The event will take place on December 5 in Washington, at The Kennedy Center. It will be attended by:
the leadership of the UFA
the head coach of the national team Fabio Cannavaro
the coaching staff
Uzbek football legend Mirjalol Qosimov, specially invited by FIFA.
World Cup 2026 — a historic tournament
The matches will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
In Uzbekistan, fans are eagerly awaiting both the draw and the formation of the group.
Uzbekistan being placed in Pot 3 is a major step, a new chapter and a door to broad opportunities.
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