FIFA released on Tuesday (25) the official procedure for the 2026 World Cup draw, sparking widespread discussion after confirming that Brazil, Argentina and France appear in the same “group.” The terminology, however, caused confusion among fans and even some commentators.
In reality, the three football giants were simply placed in the same pot Pot 1, which gathers the highest-ranked national teams ahead of the draw. Being in the same pot does not mean they will compete against one another in the group stage. Instead, it ensures exactly the opposite: teams from the same pot cannot be drawn into the same group.
The clarification extinguishes the initial speculation about potential early clashes between the favourites. With the draw format now understood, the focus shifts to which opponents these top-seeded teams will face when the groups for the 2026 tournament are officially formed.