World Cup Draw: FIFA Likely To Change Seeding Due To Playoffs

World Cup Draw: FIFA Likely To Change Seeding Due To Playoffs

Sampson Adedeji

There are strong indications that FIFA may introduce a major change to the seeding principle for teams qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the playoffs, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, all teams that advanced via the playoff route were automatically placed in Pot 4 of the draw, regardless of their FIFA ranking points.

However, for the expanded 2026 edition, FIFA is reportedly considering a new approach that could significantly alter the seeding structure.

According to emerging reports, the governing body intends to seed all six playoff qualifiers four from Europe and two from the inter-confederation playoffs based on the FIFA ranking position of the highest-ranked team in each playoff path.

This potential adjustment could trigger a massive shake-up in the projected pots for the 2026 World Cup draw.

Under the new system, Italy (or the team emerging from their playoff path) could move up from Pot 4 to Pot 1, while Germany would drop from Pot 1 to Pot 2. Austria could also slip to Pot 3.

Meanwhile, teams like Türkiye, Ukraine, Poland, and Nigeria (or whichever teams qualify through their respective playoff paths) would benefit by climbing from Pot 4 to Pot 3.

Conversely, sides such as Tunisia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa might find themselves demoted to Pot 4 as a result of the new seeding model.

If confirmed, the adjustment will represent one of the most significant structural changes to World Cup seeding in recent memory potentially reshaping the competitive balance ahead of the 2026 global showpiece.