Today, the Derby of the Americas will be contested in Qatar, featuring a highly anticipated showdown between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-live-derby-of-the-americas-at-fifa-intercontinental-cup-2025">Cruz Azul and Flamengo, which you can follow in our liveblog!</a> Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome to see which team will earn the chance to compete in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in 2025. Both teams want to face PSG in the decider, which is why <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-lineups-for-derby-of-the-americas-at-fifa-intercontinental-cup-2025-today">Cruz Azul and Flamengo are fielding their strongest lineups</a> today.



Flamengo enter this match riding a wave of motivation, having recently secured two significant titles: the 2025 Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao championship. Their sights are set on becoming the challengers to Pyramids FC, who emerged victorious in the Africa/Asia/Pacific Cup against Auckland City and Al Ahly.



On the other hand, Cruz Azul approach this encounter with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/flamengo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flamengo</a> following a disappointing exit in the Liga MX semifinals, where they were ousted by Tigres. Despite their efforts, they fell short of securing a spot in the final against Toluca, who triumphed over Monterrey in the semifinals.



This matchup marks the first official meeting between Cruz Azul and Flamengo in a <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a>-sanctioned tournament. Notably, they have never faced each other in any CONMEBOL competitions, even during the periods when Mexican teams participated in the Copa Libertadores. Fortunately, fans will have options to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/where-to-watch-cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-live-in-the-usa-2025-fifa-derby-of-the-americas">watch Cruz Azul-Flamengo in the USA</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The FIFA Derby of the Americas 🌎 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAIntercontinentalCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAIntercontinentalCup</a>— FIFA Club Football (@FIFACWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFACWC/status/1998710285931090089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>What happens if Cruz Azul beat Flamengo today?</h2>



If Cruz Azul emerge victorious against Flamengo in the Derby of the Americas, Los Cementeros will earn a spot in the FIFA Challenger Cup against Pyramids FC. This showdown will take place in Qatar following the Derby of the Americas, ultimately determining the opponent for PSG in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.



<h2>What happens if Cruz Azul and Flamengo tie today?</h2>



If Cruz Azul and Flamengo tie in regulation, the match will proceed to two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the deadlock remains, a penalty shootout will ensue to determine the winner.



<h2>What happens if Cruz Azul lose to Flamengo today?</h2>



If Cruz Azul lose to Flamengo in the Derby of the Americas, the Mexican side will be eliminated from contention for both the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Challenger Cup against Pyramids FC. Instead, the Brazilians would progress to the next round.

Cruz Azul VS Flamengo: Impact Of Win, Tie, Or Loss In Derby Of The Americas On FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025

What happens if Cruz Azul win, tie or lose vs Flamengo today in Derby of the Americas at FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025?

What happens if Cruz Azul win, tie or lose vs Flamengo today in Derby of the Americas at FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025? - Bolavip US

miniaturas

One of the most memorable tournaments for soccer fans worldwide is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. With its multiple transformations over the years, this competition brings together the champions of each confederation to crown the best team in the sport. This time, the spotlight is on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cruz-azul" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cruz Azul</a> and Flamengo as they compete for the coveted title.



Dubbed the “Derby of the Americas” by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a>, these two teams face off today to determine who will challenge the champions of the Africa/Asia/Pacific Cup: Pyramids FC, who triumphed over Auckland City and Al Ahli. Follow our <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-live-derby-of-the-americas-at-fifa-intercontinental-cup-2025">liveblog of Cruz Azul vs Flamengo</a> and don’t miss a single thing!



Cruz Azul approach this matchup following a disappointing exit from the local league, where they were ousted in the semifinals by Tigres on their quest for the Liga MX title. Now, they have an opportunity for redemption by securing a win against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/flamengo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flamengo</a> and moving past the earlier setback.



On the other hand, Flamengo arrive with high morale, having recently secured a Copa Libertadores victory over Palmeiras in Lima and clinched the Brasileirao title. These achievements establish them as the premier team in South America and position them as favorites to face Pyramids FC in the FIFA Challenger Cup. The stakes will be high today, as it’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-happens-if-cruz-azul-win-tie-or-lose-vs-flamengo-today-in-derby-of-the-americas-at-fifa-intercontinental-cup-2025">win or go home for Cruz Azul and Flamengo</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🔜 <a href="https://twitter.com/CruzAzul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CruzAzul</a> 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/Flamengo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Flamengo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAIntercontinentalCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAIntercontinentalCup</a>— FIFA Club Football (@FIFACWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFACWC/status/1998729789075570939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Confirmed lineups for Cruz Azul and Flamengo</h2>



In anticipation of this crucial matchup, Cruz Azul will be without Kevin Mier, who got injured in the Liga MX semifinals. Conversely, Flamengo are set to field their strongest squad, with all players anticipated to be available for selection.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/soccer/where-to-watch-cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-live-in-the-usa-2025-fifa-derby-of-the-americas"></div>


Cruz Azul’s confirmed lineup:



<ul><li>Goalkeeper: Gudino</li><li>Defenders: Ditta, Erik Lira, Sanchez</li><li>Midfielders: Marquez, Rodriguez, Rotondi, Paradela, Rivero</li><li>Forwards: Fernandez, Piovi</li></ul>



Flamengo’s confirmed lineup:



<ul><li>Goalkeeper: Rossi</li><li>Defenders: Varela, Ortiz, Leo Pereira, Alex Sandro</li><li>Midfielders: Pulgar, Jorginho, Carrascal, De Arrascaeta, Lino</li><li>Forwards: Bruno Henrique</li></ul>

Cruz Azul And Flamengo Set For Derby Of The Americas Clash At 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Cruz Azul vs Flamengo: Confirmed lineups for Derby of the Americas at FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 today

Cruz Azul vs Flamengo: Confirmed lineups for Derby of the Americas at FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 today - Bolavip US

Cruz Azul vs Flamengo: Lineups

Every FIFA <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> brings excitement with the group stage draw, and one storyline always captures attention: the so-called “Group of Death.” This is where multiple powerhouse nations end up in the same group, creating a tough path to the knockout stage.



The 2026 edition, with its expanded format of 48 teams across 12 groups of four, promises even more drama. Analysts and fans speculated for months about which combinations could create the most competitive groups, especially with strong squads from Europe, South America, and emerging nations from Africa and Asia.



Once the official draw was completed on December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the “Group of Death” became clear. Debate is already underway as this group guarantees high-stakes matches and sets the stage for dramatic early encounters.



<h2>What is the “group of death”?</h2>



The “Group of Death” refers to the toughest group in any World Cup, where top-ranked teams or historical contenders are drawn together. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, following the official draw on December 5, 2025, the Group of Death currently appears to be Group L, which consists of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/england">England</a>, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251205_BUS_539541_england_f6a89213.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-540041"></figure><figcaption>Draw assistant Tom Brady draws out the card of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw. Jia Haocheng – Pool/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



However, depending on how the playoff spots are filled, Group C—featuring <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/brazil">Brazil</a>, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland—or Group I, which includes France, Senegal, Norway, and the second FIFA Play-Off winner (Bolivia, Suriname, or Iraq) to be determined in March 2026, could also emerge as strong candidates for this label.


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<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="693331d4e2d53b59fb2f0470" data-title="Which group do you think will be the true “Group of Death” at the FIFA World Cup 2026?" data-options="4"></div>

Toughest Group Revealed Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

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What group is the USA at the 2026 World Cup? Opponents confirmed after draw

What's the 'group of death' after the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw? - Bolavip US

Under the glow of a global stage returning to North America, the U.S. Men’s National Team watched its <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> path begin to take shape. The draw delivered intrigue, familiar tension, and the quiet promise of early drama ahead.



With the tournament expanding and pressure rising at home, every ball in the draw carried weight beyond the paper. Old rivals, distant styles, and logistical challenges now hover over the opening chapter of the U.S. campaign.



The group assignment sets the tone long before the first kickoff, shaping rhythm, risk, and recovery. For the United States, the road to 2026 now carries names, dates and storylines that will soon move from paper to pitch alive.



<h2>USA confirmed in Group D as host nation</h2>



According to the official draw procedures for the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> World Cup, the host countries U.S., Mexico and Canada are automatically placed in Pot 1 and pre-assigned to specific groups. For the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/usmnt">United States</a>, that slot is Group D.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251205_BUS_539902_USA_b37206cc.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-539919"></figure><figcaption>The card of United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw. (Source: Mandel NGAN – Pool/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



That means the U.S. will enter the group stage as “D1” — the top-seeded position in that group. Being in Pot 1, and avoiding the biggest seeds in the same group, gives them a strategic advantage in terms of draw balance.



Still, that status offers no guarantees of smooth sailing. The U.S. will be tested by several tough opponents, with Australia, Paraguay and the winner of Playoff C (Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo) rounding out Group D at the 2026 World Cup.



<h2>What the group means for Team USA</h2>



Playing a World Cup at home brings a rare mix of comfort and pressure, and the group draw is the first reminder that familiar stadiums do not guarantee familiar battles. The United States enters its section of the bracket with the advantage of crowd support but also with a spotlight that magnifies every early step.



Beyond geography, the group represents a collision of styles. North American rhythm will meet soccer cultures shaped by different tempos, climates and tactical traditions. These early matchups often reveal how prepared a host truly is for the deeper layers of the tournament.



History suggests that group stages can quietly define entire World Cup runs. A calculated win, a tense draw or a costly slip can reshape expectations overnight. For the US, this group it’s a starting point and the lens through which the 2026 campaign will first be judged.

USA Drawn Into Group for 2026 World Cup as Opponents Are Confirmed

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What group is the USA at the 2026 World Cup? Opponents confirmed after draw - Bolavip US

With less than seven months remaining until the start of the FIFA <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> 2026, the group stage draw was carried out this Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The event finalized the respective rivals that the 48 qualified national teams will face in the first phase.



Unlike previous World Cups, this historic edition will be the first to feature 48 nations instead of the traditional 32. To form the groups in this new format, all qualified nations were divided into four pots based on their FIFA World Ranking classification.



The groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were composed of one team from each pot, while adhering to the rule that prohibits two countries from the same confederation from being part of the same group. The only exception is UEFA, as 16 nations will qualify from Europe for the 12 groups, meaning four groups are composed of two European nations.

Welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw!

Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates — you won’t want to miss a single moment of this exciting event!

Start time and where to watch the group stage draw

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw is scheduled for 12:00 PM (ET).
The event <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/where-to-watch-fifa-world-cup-2026-draw-live-in-the-usa">will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo</a>. Other options are FOX, Telemundo, Peacock.

How does the group stage draw work?

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/how-does-the-fifa-world-cup-2026-group-stage-draw-work-format-pots-and-everything-you-need-to-know">The 48 participating nations are divided into four pots of 12 teams each</a>, based on their FIFA World Ranking classification. Pot 1 contains the three host nations, along with the top nine ranked teams, and the allocation continues sequentially down to the last pot, according to each nation's world ranking.
Every group will contain one team from each pot, adhering to the rule that two nations from the same confederation cannot be part of the same group. The only exception to this rule is UEFA, as 16 European nations will qualify for 12 groups, meaning four groups will ultimately include two European teams.

When will the inaugural match be played?

The inaugural match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played on Thursday, June 11th, at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico will make their debut, learning their opponent today through the draw.

Why are the USMNT or Canada not playing the FIFA World Cup 2026 inaugural match?

Due to the distribution of matches, with the United States hosting the majority, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/why-are-mexico-and-not-the-usmnt-or-canada-playing-the-fifa-world-cup-2026-inaugural-match">the three host nations agreed to give Mexico the inaugural match</a> to balance things out. As part of the agreement, while Mexico gets the inaugural match, the United States will host the final.
&nbsp;

The draw is getting closer!

<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW IS HERE! 🌎🏆 <a href="https://t.co/Sj6UleM8SK">pic.twitter.com/Sj6UleM8SK</a>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1996982003032629724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The official mascots are here!

Maple, Zayu, and Clutch, the three mascots of the World Cup, are present for the pre-draw ceremony.
<figure class="image"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-539846" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251205_BUS_539670_world-cup-draw-mascots_80f8b833.webp&width=1920&height=1080" alt="" width="1920" height="1080"></figure>

The draw has started!

The most anticipated event by the soccer world has commenced, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino currently delivering an introduction.

Live performances underway!

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/did-andrea-bocelli-robbie-williams-and-nicole-scherzinger-get-paid-to-sing-at-the-fifa-world-cup-2026-draw">Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger are performing</a> live at the group stage draw!

Infantino gives Donald Trump the FIFA Peace Prize award

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-fifa-peace-prize-awarded-at-the-world-cup-draw">FIFA Peace Prize</a> was announced on 5 November 2025 by FIFA as a new, annual award designed to honour individuals who have performed “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace”, helping to unite people across the globe.

Lionel Scaloni introduces the World Cup trophy!

The Argentine coach was the last to win it, and he is now presenting the trophy to the public.

Everything is ready for the draw!

Everything is now prepared to begin drawing the balls and forming the groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026!

Mexico, Canada, and the United States learn their locations

The host countries now know which groups they will occupy. Mexico will go to Group A, Canada to Group B, and the United States to Group D.

The draw is coming up

Final details are being arranged for the start of the draw and the conformation of the groups.

Sports legends in charge of the draw

Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, Tom Brady, and Shaquille O'Neal will be in charge of drawing the countries from the pots.

The draw has begun!

The top seeded teams know their locations:
<ul>
<li>Group C: Brazil</li>
<li>Group E: Germany</li>
<li>Group F: The Netherlands</li>
<li>Group G: Belgium</li>
<li>Group H: Spain</li>
<li>Group I: France</li>
<li>Group J: Argentina</li>
<li>Group K: Portugal</li>
<li>Group L: England</li>
</ul>

Korea Republic go to group A

Korea Republic will be in Mexico's group.

Switzerland go to group B

Switzerland will be in Canada's group.

Morocco go to group C

Morocco will be in Brazil's group.

Australia go to group D

Ecuador go to group E

Ecuador will be in Germany's group.

Japan go to group F

Japan will be in the Netherland's group.

Iran go to group G

Uruguay go to group H

Senegal go to group I

Senegal will be in France's group.

Austria go to group J

Austria will be in Argentina's group.

Colombia go to group K

Colombia will be in Portugal's group.

Croatia go to group L

Croatia will be in England's group.

South Africa go to group A

South Africa will be in Mexico's group and will play the inaugural match against them.

Qatar go to group B

Paraguay go to group D

Cote d'Ivoire go to group E

Cote d'Ivoire will be in Germany's group.

Tunisia go to group F

Tunisia will be in the Netherlands' group.

Egypt go to group G

Scotland go to group C

Scotland will be in Brazil's group.

Saudi Arabia go to group H

Saudi Arabia will be in Spain's group.

Algeria go to group J

Algeria will be in Argentina's group.

Uzbekistan go to group K

Uzbekitan will be in Portugal's group.

Panama go to group L

Panama will be in England's group.

Norway go to group I

The World Cup groups so far

With the teams from Pot 4 still pending, the groups are currently structured as follows:
<ul>
<li>Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group I: France, Senegal, Norway
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan
&nbsp;
</li>
<li>Group L: England, Croatia, Panama</li>
</ul>

Winner play-off D go to group A

Winner play-off D will be in Mexico's group.

Winner play-off A go to group B

Winner play-off A will be in Canada's group.

Haiti go to group C

Curacao go to group E

Curacao will be in Germany's group.

Winner Intercontinental play-off 2 go to group I

The winner of the Intercontinental play-off 2 will go to France's group.

Cape Verde go to group H

Cape Verde will be in Spain's group.

Winner play-off C go to group D

The winner of play-off C will go to USA's group.

Winner play-off B go to group F

The winner of the play-off B will go to the Netherlands' group.

Jordan go to group J

Jordan will be in Argentina's group.

Winner of intercontinental play-off 1 go to group K

The winner of the intercontinental play-off 1 will go to Portugal's group.

Ghana go to group L

New Zealand go to group G

New Zealand will be in Belgium's group.

The groups are finalized!

Thanks for joining us!

The groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are now finalized, and you experienced the draw live through Bolavip!
Thanks for staying with us, we’ll see you next time!

FIFA World Cup 2026: All 12 groups confirmed after draw

FIFA World Cup 2026: All 12 groups confirmed after draw - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> will feature 48 teams, giving more nations the chance to compete on soccer’s biggest stage. Fans are eagerly waiting for the group stage draw on December 5, 2025, at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, which will decide how teams are placed in the tournament’s 12 groups.



Teams are divided into four pots based mainly on the FIFA World Ranking as of November 19, 2025. Pot 1 includes the three host nations—<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/canada">Canada</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mexico">Mexico</a>, and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/united-states">United States</a>—plus the nine highest-ranked qualified teams. Pots 2 through 4 group the rest of the nations to create balanced and competitive matchups.



Most teams have already qualified, leaving only six spots undecided at the time of the draw: four <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/uefa">UEFA</a> playoff winners and two inter-confederation playoff winners. These teams will be placed in Pot 4 once the playoffs finish in March 2026.



<h2>How will the 2026 World Cup draw affect team paths?</h2>



The tournament divides teams into four pots, each containing twelve nations. Pot 1 has the three co-hosts—Mexico, Canada, and the United States—plus Spain, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>, France, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251205_BUS_539516_FIFA_c4cc2f3b.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-539520"></figure><figcaption>Jill Ellis, FIFA Chief Soccer Officer and Arsene Wenger, FIFA Chief of Global Soccer Development speaks during a panel discussion. Dan Mullan/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Pot 2 includes strong teams like Croatia, Morocco, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colombia">Colombia</a>, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia. These nations provide solid competition against Pot 1 teams.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/soccer/uefa-2026-world-cup-playoffs-draw-what-are-the-brackets-when-are-they-played-and-how-many-teams-will-qualify"></div>


Pot 3 mixes emerging soccer nations with consistent performers, such as Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.



Pot 4 has lower-ranked and playoff teams: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, the four UEFA playoff winners (A–D), and the two inter-confederation playoff winners, whose identities will be confirmed in March 2026.



Each group will have one team from each pot to keep the competition balanced. Hosts are already assigned to Groups A (Mexico), B (Canada), and D (United States), while the other Pot 1 teams will fill the remaining nine groups. FIFA rules prevent teams from the same confederation from being in the same group, except for UEFA, which can have up to two European teams per group because of 16 European qualifiers.



<h2>Why pot allocations matter</h2>



Teams in Pot 1 usually face easier opponents from Pots 2–4 and benefit from host advantages and pre-determined group placement. Pot 4 teams are likely to face tough competition from the higher-ranked teams, making their path to the knockout rounds more challenging. The pot system ensures groups are competitive but fair.



<h2>When does the group stage begin?</h2>



After the draw on December 5, 2025, the group stage will start on June 11, 2026, and end on June 27, 2026. The tournament will conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026, after the Round of 32 and knockout rounds determine the champion.


<div class="wp_fsn_poll" id="6932a39fe2d53b59fb2f045d" data-title="Which pot will create the most challenging group in the 2026 World Cup?" data-options="4"></div>

How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Draw and Seeding System Works

How does the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw work? Format, pots, and everything you need to know

Lionel Messi names the candidates to challenge Argentina’s title defense at 2026 World Cup

Which teams could be Mexico’s group stage opponents at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

How does the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw work? Format, pots, and everything you need to know - Bolavip US

How does the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw work?

The soccer world eagerly awaits December 5th to learn how the groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be structured. Here is a breakdown of the possible rivals that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and Portugal could face in their group.



This edition of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> will be historic, as it will feature 48 nations competing for the coveted trophy, up from the traditional 32. To form the groups, all qualified nations will be divided into four pots based on their FIFA World Ranking classification. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates are in Pot 1 and will be seeded in their group.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a> will not be drawn against any other nation in Pot 1 (top seeds), which includes the three host nations—Mexico, United States, and Canada—and the other top-ranked teams like Spain, France, England, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands.



A key rule in the World Cup draw is that FIFA does not allow two nations from the same confederation to be placed in the same group. However, UEFA is the only exception: since there are 16 qualified European teams filling 12 groups, four groups will necessarily contain two European teams.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">ESTAMOS NO MUNDIAL! VAMOS COM TUDO, PORTUGAL! 🇵🇹 <a href="https://t.co/3bfPqkrecH">pic.twitter.com/3bfPqkrecH</a>— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1990093371503747155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Potential group rivals for Portugal</h2>



The groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be composed of one team from each pot, while adhering to the rules that prohibit nations from the same confederation from sharing a group, with the exception of UEFA.


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In this way, there is a possibility that Portugal will have one European team within their group. Cristiano Ronaldo and company could face any team from each pot, but if one UEFA nation is drawn, there cannot be another from the same confederation in their group.



These are all the nations that will participate in the World Cup, divided into their respective pots:



<h3>Pot 2</h3>



<ul><li>Croatia</li><li>Morocco</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Uruguay</li><li>Switzerland</li><li>Japan</li><li>Senegal</li><li>Iran</li><li>South Korea</li><li>Ecuador</li><li>Austria</li><li>Australia</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 3</h3>



<ul><li>Norway</li><li>Panama</li><li>Egypt</li><li>Algeria</li><li>Scotland</li><li>Paraguay</li><li>Tunisia</li><li>Ivory Coast</li><li>Uzbekistan</li><li>Qatar</li><li>Saudi Arabia</li><li>South Africa</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 4</h3>



<ul><li>Jordan</li><li>Cape Verde</li><li>Ghana</li><li>Curaçao</li><li>Haiti</li><li>New Zealand</li><li>European Playoff 1</li><li>European Playoff 2</li><li>European Playoff 3</li><li>European Playoff 4</li><li>Intercontinental Playoff 1</li><li>Intercontinental Playoff 2</li></ul>

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Which countries could Ronaldo, Portugal face at the 2026 World Cup?

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/palmeiras-vs-flamengo-live-2025-copa-libertadores-final">Flamengo defeated Palmeiras in the 2025 Copa Libertadores final</a> at the Estadio Monumental in Peru and secured a ticket to contest the Derby of the Americas against Cruz Azul, who were crowned champions of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps.



The Derby of the Americas between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cruz-azul">Cruz Azul</a> and Flamengo will be played on December 10th at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The winner of this match will advance to the 2025 FIFA Challenger Cup on December 13th against Pyramids FC of Egypt.



The Egyptian team secured their place after defeating Auckland City 3-0 on September 14th in the Africa-Asia-Pacific Qualifiers, and then beat Al-Ahli 3-1 later that month, earning the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup and the ticket to the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> Challenger Cup.



The winner of the 2025 FIFA Challenger Cup between Pyramids FC and Flamengo will secure the ticket to the highly anticipated 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final, where the Champions League winner, PSG, are patiently waiting for their opponent.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251129_BUS_535762_marqinhos-psg_013bafda.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-535766"></figure><figcaption>Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>History of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup</h2>



Following the creation of the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which adopted a format similar to the World Cup, the traditional FIFA Intercontinental Cup was initially retired to adapt to the new schedule.


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However, the confederations expressed to FIFA the ongoing need for the champions of their main club competitions to still face each other annually. Therefore, FIFA approved an annual club competition starting in 2024, which was subsequently named the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.



This will be the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which will once again be staged in Qatar. In the previous edition, Real Madrid were crowned champions after defeating Pachuca of Mexico with a convincing 3-0 in the final, making them the current sole champion in the history of this reformed tournament.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was ejected during Portugal’s World Cup Qualifier match against Ireland. Following this, the Portuguese fan base eagerly awaited FIFA‘s decision on the number of matches <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cristiano-ronaldos-suspension-revealed-will-cr7-be-eligible-for-portugals-2026-world-cup-debut" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronaldo would be suspended for ahead of the 2026 World Cup</a>.



Along with this announcement, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a> issued a warning to Cristiano Ronaldo regarding future conduct. “If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately,” FIFA stated.



Through this statement, FIFA cautioned the Portuguese star about replicating the incident that occurred against Ireland. Moving forward, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronaldo</a> must exhibit control in upcoming matches because Portugal will rely on him during the group stage of the next year’s World Cup.



Despite Ronaldo’s situation, Portugal remains confident in their roster’s depth as they prepare for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> and the final FIFA-sanctioned matches before the group stage commences in North America.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">full story and clip 👇 Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal’s 2–0 loss to Ireland after he elbowed Dara O’Shea in the 61st minute. The referee originally showed a yellow card, but VAR stepped in, reviewed the incident, and upgraded it to a straight red for violent conduct.… <a href="https://t.co/ywCYawoB5U">pic.twitter.com/ywCYawoB5U</a>— Dave (@Davely_X) <a href="https://twitter.com/Davely_X/status/1989320033424531473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



<h2>Ronaldo’s first direct red card with Portugal</h2>



Throughout his illustrious career, the Portuguese icon has been sent off seven times for both accumulating two yellow cards and direct red card in various competitions. However, this was the first time he received a direct red card in an official match with the national team.


 


In total, Ronaldo has been cautioned with a yellow card 128 times across the five clubs he has represented. As he approaches what could be his final World Cup, Ronaldo has announced plans to retire from international play following the tournament in North America.



As Ronaldo nears the final fixtures of his international career, fans anticipate seeing him compete throughout the full group stage in the 2026 World Cup. There’s significant interest in when Ronaldo will make his decision to retire official.

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The 2026 World Cup now has 42 of the 48 teams confirmed for the competition, and although the final six qualifiers will not be decided until March, most major contenders have already secured their spots. The most enticing prospect for fans is the possibility of a showdown between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>‘s Portugal and Lionel Messi’s Argentina, both of whom have tickets to the World Cup and await the draw to know their rivals.



Anticipating the historic event, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> uploaded a poster to their social media channels previewing the tournament. However, they made a blatant omission in the first official poster, and fans quickly seized upon the mistake.



FIFA shared an image featuring a representative from each of the national teams already qualified for the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a>. Shockingly, the Portuguese representative featured was Bruno Fernandes and not Cristiano Ronaldo—the all-time leading goalscorer in soccer history, who is set to play in his sixth World Cup, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-to-share-historic-record-as-portugal-joins-argentina-at-2026-world-cup">a record he will share with Messi</a>.



“How can Cristiano Ronaldo be missing? He is the biggest face in the sport, no debate,” commented one visibly angry fan on X. “It’s hard to understand FIFA leaving Cristiano Ronaldo out of the official World Cup poster. From a marketing standpoint, he’s the most influential athlete on the planet, the kind of face that sells a tournament,” another fan seconded.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251121_BUS_531378_world-cup-post-old_8592d3b8.webp&amp;width=640&amp;height=853" alt="" class="wp-image-531380" width="640" height="853"></figure><figcaption>The deleted post from FIFA. (@FIFAWorldCup)</figcaption></figure>



It did not take many more comments for FIFA to make the decisive move to delete the original poster. The post is no longer visible on any of their social media channels related to the tournament and the entity.



<h2>The new poster</h2>


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Logically, FIFA did not issue a statement on the matter, choosing neither to admit they removed the post due to the public comments nor to acknowledge the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1500" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251121_BUS_531378_world-cup-post_31c5b165.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="" class="wp-image-531381"></figure><figcaption>The 2026 Wolrd Cup new post. (@FIFAWorldCup)</figcaption></figure>



The only certainty is that the original poster is gone and has been replaced by a new one, which now features the image of the Portuguese superstar—alongside Lionel Messi holding the World Cup.

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Following a dramatic last-minute qualification process, Suriname and Jamaica, representing Concacaf, alongside New Caledonia from the OFC, Bolivia from Conmebol, and RD Congo from Africa, are set to compete in the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> playoffs.



As anticipation runs high among supporters of these nations ahead of the playoffs, fans will have to travel to Mexico to watch their teams compete in March. FIFA has designated this month for the decisive matchups that will determine who advances.



Among the competitors, only Bolivia and Jamaica have previously secured spots at the World Cup. Bolivia last qualified in 1994 when the United States played host to the tournament. Jamaica, meanwhile, achieved its lone World Cup qualification in 1998, marking a historic milestone for the nation as it made a memorable debut on soccer’s grandest stage.



<h2>What’s the bracket for the 2026 World Cup playoff?</h2>



According to the draw conducted by FIFA for the upcoming playoffs on Thursday morning, these are the matchups, with Jamaica and Suriname flying the flag for Concacaf:



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Your matchups for the FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament! 🆚 Which two are headed to 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽? <a href="https://t.co/Ba9yBHN8B7">pic.twitter.com/Ba9yBHN8B7</a>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1991483977509793911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<ul><li>Bracket 1: New Caledonia vs. Jamaica (March 26, 2026) – The winner of this match will face RD Congo (March 31, 2026).</li><li>Bracket 2: Bolivia vs. Suriname (March 26, 2026) – The winner here will go on to compete against Iraq (March 31, 2026).</li></ul>


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<h2>How many teams will qualify?</h2>



The winners from each bracket will secure a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, hosted in North America. Anticipation runs high for these nations, some of which are vying for their first-ever appearance at the World Cup, while others aim to return to the global stage after a significant absence.



<h2>Where will these playoffs be played?</h2>



FIFA has confirmed that Mexico will host four upcoming matchups, with the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey selected as the venues. These cities are also slated to host games during the 2026 World Cup, making these events a crucial test for their stadiums ahead of the prestigious tournament in June.

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2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs draw: What’s the bracket and how many teams will qualify? - Bolavip US

2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs draw: Bracket and teams

Following the conclusion of the final FIFA window of 2025, both <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>‘s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have been confirmed as top seeds for their respective groups in the 2026 World Cup, thanks to the newly updated FIFA World Ranking.



Portugal could have secured their World Cup qualification during the October window, but a last-minute goal from Dominik Szoboszlai derailed their celebration, forcing <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and his teammates to pursue classification in the last two games of the UEFA Qualifiers.



When qualification seemed simple, Portugal surprisingly fell 2-0 to Ireland on the road—a match where <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-cristiano-ronaldo-sees-red-card-for-hitting-opponent-in-ireland-vs-portugal">Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off</a> for elbowing an opponent off the ball. However, they crushed Armenia 9-1 in the final matchday to definitively seal their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.



Despite achieving the objective of qualifying, the draw against Hungary and the surprise loss to Ireland caused <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a> to fall to the No. 6 spot in the FIFA World Ranking with 1760.38 points, being marginally surpassed by Brazil (1760.46 points).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251119_BUS_530491_ronaldo-red-card_4d54fe65.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-527402"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being shown a red card. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



For <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a>, Messi and his teammates secured classification on March 25th and have since been contesting friendly matches during the recent FIFA dates. In their latest friendlies, they registered one defeat against Ecuador and three victories, allowing them to maintain their No. 2 position in the FIFA World Ranking with 1873.33 points, still trailing Spain, who lead the standings with 1877.18.



It is worth noting that during the March 2026 FIFA window, with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">World Cup</a> groups already confirmed, Argentina will have a chance to reclaim the No. 1 spot. To do so, they must win both of their matches and rely on other results. They could also face Spain in the Finalissima, a transcendental match for the ranking.


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<h2>How the 2026 World Cup pots were determined</h2>



Following the update to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> World Ranking, the pots for the 2026 World Cup draw have been finalized. Crucially, Argentina and Portugal are in the same pot and therefore cannot be drawn into the same group, meaning Messi and Ronaldo could only face each other in the knockout stages of the competition.



<h3>Pot 1 (top seeds)</h3>



<ul><li>United States, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 2</h3>



<ul><li>Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Senegal, Switzerland, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 3</h3>



<ul><li>Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.</li></ul>



<h3>Pot 4</h3>



<ul><li>Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff Teams (4), Intercontinental Playoff Teams (2).</li></ul>



The draw will determine the four teams for each of the 12 groups that will compete in the 2026 World Cup. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same group. The only exception to this rule is Europe, as four groups will feature two European teams due to the high number of qualified participants from that continent.

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There is enormous global anticipation for the Finalissima, which brings the two sides together ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The excitement comes from seeing the reigning Copa America (Argentina) and Euros (Spain) champions face off, intensified by the generational clash between soccer legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Lamine Yamal, the rising star who promises to be his successor at Barcelona.



The Finalissima—in which the Lionel Scaloni’s team will defend the title they won against Italy before the Qatar World Cup—has been difficult to place on the international calendar due to the official commitments of both sides of the Atlantic. However, European sources had previously indicated the match would take place during the March FIFA window, specifically on Saturday, March 28th.



With the Lusail Stadium in Doha chosen as the venue, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> reportedly is considering to change the date, according to the Spanish outlet Marca. The change is minor, involving only moving the game up by one day, meaning it would be played on Friday, March 27th.



There remains a possibility, however, that the Finalissima could face a larger postponement. This stems from the fact that Spain have yet to definitively secure their direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup during the current double UEFA qualifying window, potentially forcing them into a play-off.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251107_BUS_522541_spain_5eb47da7.webp&amp;width=650&amp;height=365" alt="" class="wp-image-522554" width="650" height="365"></figure><figcaption>Spain are still looking to secure their direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



This alternative is considered highly improbable, as the team managed by Luis De La Fuente would need to finish second in their group for that scenario to occur. Spain currently lead Group E by 3 points over Turkey, whom they will face at home in the closing match of the window, following an away game against Georgia.



<h2>Spain and Argentina seeking additional friendlies</h2>


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Beyond the confirmed possibility of facing each other in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/finalissima">Finalissima</a>, the national teams of Spain and Argentina are both looking to finalize an extra friendly match for the March FIFA window, which marks the final leg of preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup.



In the case of Spain, negotiations are reportedly advanced for a match in Doha against the local team, Qatar. Meanwhile, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/argentina">Argentina</a> have a strong possibility of measuring forces against Algeria, an African team that has also secured their ticket to the upcoming World Cup.



For now, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/spain">Spain</a> will seek to secure their ticket for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, November 15th, when they face Georgia, and on Tuesday, November 18th, when they play Turkey in the European qualifiers. As for Argentina, their next commitment will be on Friday, November 14th, when they face Angola as part of an international friendly match.

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The dominant era of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo in the soccer world appears to have finally reached its conclusion. FIFA recently revealed the nominees for The Best Men’s Player Award for 2025, and notably, neither the Argentine nor the Portuguese star are featured among the contenders.



According to the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2025/articles/mens-player-nominees-shortlist-voting">official FIFA report</a>, the nominees for The Best 2025 are: Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Vitinha and Lamine Yamal.



This development marks the fourth consecutive year in which <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> has not been included among the nominees for the award. For Messi, however, this represents the first time the Argentine superstar has been left off the list of contenders.



The last time the Portuguese star was featured on the shortlist was in 2021, when he finished seventh in the voting. That year, Robert Lewandowski claimed the honor, with Messi placing second.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">⭐ Your nominees for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Men&apos;s Player 2025. 🗳️ Cast your vote now!— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1986476450803863587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>How many times has Lionel Messi won the award?</h2>



Lionel Messi has won three FIFA The Best awards, and he remains the player with the most nominations (9) since FIFA established the individual award for the world’s best footballer in 2016.


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The Argentine star secured the award in the 2019 edition, then won consecutively in the 2022 and 2023 editions. Additionally, in three editions (2016, 2017, and 2021), he was the second-most voted player, while he finished third in 2020 and sixth in his last nomination in 2024.



<h2>What about Cristiano Ronaldo?</h2>



In the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star claimed the award twice, winning the inaugural editions in 2016 and 2017. He also finished in second place on two occasions (2018 and 2020) and third once (2019).



The last time CR7 was nominated for the main award was in the 2021 edition. He finished seventh in the voting, and he has not been part of the list of nominees since then. However, in 2024, he was nominated to participate in the FIFPRO World XI as one of the best forwards in the world but did not receive the final recognition.

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The excitement among fans eager to secure tickets for the 2026 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/fifa">FIFA</a> World Cup continues to rise. During the first sales phase, FIFA reported that more than one million tickets were sold across 212 countries — a figure that has only heightened demand ahead of this second opportunity to apply.



This next phase of ticket sales opened on Monday, October 27, and will remain active until Friday, October 31. Time is limited for fans to register, but given the global enthusiasm surrounding the tournament, sales are expected to be another resounding success.



Just like in the first phase, the process consists of a ticket application followed by a random selection. Applicants who are chosen will receive a time slot to complete their purchase. These purchasing windows will take place between mid-November and early December.



<h2>How to register for 2026 World Cup tickets</h2>



Fans aged 18 and older who wish to buy tickets must first register and create a “FIFA ID” at the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tickets?shortlink=6lhsx4we&amp;is_retargeting=false&amp;cid=(p_tw)(c_fwc)(sc_fwc26-early-ticket-draw-open)(ssc_fwc-2026)&amp;pid=(p_tw)(c_fwc)(sc_fwc26-early-ticket-draw-open)(ssc_fwc-2026)&amp;source_caller=api">FIFA official website</a>. Selected applicants will then receive an assigned purchase window, subject to ticket availability and FIFA’s terms and conditions.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" data-id="497526" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20251027_BUS_516477_World-Cup_fa99638f.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="FIFA World Cup trophy" class="wp-image-497526" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"></figure><figcaption>A detailed view of the FIFA World Cup Trophy.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



During the initial phase, prices ranged from $60 for standard seats to as high as $6,730 for exclusive seats at the final. The pricing structure in this second phase will remain similar.


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In addition to regular tickets, fans can now purchase hospitality packages — available for single matches or multiple games — that include premium seating and other exclusive benefits.



<h2>When and where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup take place?</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/world-cup">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.



<ul><li>Canada: Toronto and Vancouver</li><li>Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey</li><li>United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle</li></ul>



<h2>Opening match and final venue confirmed</h2>



The tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which will become the first stadium in history to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches.



The grand finale is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, closing the tournament in one of the most iconic venues in the United States.

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