The top four ranked teams in next year’s World Cup draw will be separated until at least the semi-finals, FIFA has announced.
The move increases the chances of a rematch of the classic 2022 final between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Kylian Mbappe’s France.
As a second-place team, Argentina are paired with ranking leaders Spain and placed on either side of the draw, assuming they win their group.
France are in third place, England in fourth, and the two, who met in the quarter-finals in Qatar, are also provisionally linked.
It means that if all four teams were to top their groups in the first round and continue to progress, Argentina would face either France or England in the semi-finals, while Spain would face the other.
If Argentina and France are to renew their rivalry, the draw – which takes place on December 5 – should put the world champions on course for a last-four meeting with England.
Argentina defeated France on penalties in the last final after an epic 3-3 draw, with Messi celebrating another incredible highlight in his remarkable career despite Mbappe’s hat-trick.
Another potential final match is England against Spain, a repeat of La Roja’s Euro 2024 decider.
The procedures and pots have been revealed for the final draw. #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 25, 2025
The pots for the draw were also confirmed on Tuesday, when the top four teams in pot one were joined by Portugal, Brazil, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, as well as the hosts United States, Mexico and Canada.
Croatia, Colombia, Uruguay and Senegal are among the teams in the second pot, while Norway is a clear threat in the third pot.
The half of pot four is yet to be determined as it will include four play-off winners from Europe, along with the two inter-confederation winners.
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