Turkey's pot for the World Cup has been determined
FIFA has announced the pots for the countries ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw. The pot that the National Team will be placed in, should they pass the play-offs, has also been clarified.
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As the countdown continues for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 42 of the 48 teams that will compete in the tournament have been confirmed. The remaining 6 teams will be determined following the play-off matches.
FIFA has made the official announcement regarding the pots into which the teams have been distributed ahead of the draw. It was announced that the first pot includes the three host countries, as well as Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Information was shared that hosts Canada, Mexico, and the USA were placed in Pot 1, while the other 39 countries were divided into four pots of 12 teams each, based on the country rankings announced on Wednesday, November 19.
The National Team, competing in Group E of the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers, had earned the right to reach the play-off stage by finishing in second place behind Spain.
Following FIFA's announcement of the pot distribution, it has also become clear which pot the countries from Europe that will play in the play-offs and qualify for the tournament will be placed in.
If the National Team succeeds in passing the play-off stage and qualifying for the World Cup, they will be included in the draw from Pot 4.
DRAW POTS ANNOUNCED
POT 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
POT 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
POT 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
POT 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand
All teams coming from the play-off path will be placed in Pot 4. A total of 6 teams will secure their World Cup tickets, with 4 coming from Europe and 2 from the intercontinental play-offs.
NATIONAL TEAM'S PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE
Turkey, which will compete in Path C of the FIFA 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Play-offs, will face its first test against Romania.
If the National Team eliminates Romania, they will face the winner of the Slovakia–Kosovo match in the final.
The play-off semi-final matches will be played on March 26, 2026, and the final matches will be played on March 31, 2026.
The Crescent-Stars will play the match against Romania at home. The host of the final match will be determined by a draw.