Due to the defeat against Slovakia, the German team has fallen back in the world rankings, Lost pot 2 threatens at the World Cup draw – and it could get worse.
After the two World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, the German team only took eleven in the world rankings. Only the first nine teams in the world rankings are located in the draw of the 2026 World Cup on December 5th in Washington DC together with the hosts USA, Mexico and Canada in Lost pot 1.
If the German team slides in Lostopf 2, opponents such as Argentina, Spain, England, Brazil or France are already possible in the group phase. In the remaining games in front of the World Cup, the German team must appear more stable in order to reach Lost pot 1.
| Pl. | team |
|---|---|
1 | Argentina |
2 | Spain |
3 | France |
4 | England |
5 | Brazil |
6 | Portugal |
7 | Netherlands |
8 | Belgium |
9 | Croatia |
10 | Italy |
11 | Germany |
12 | Morocco |
Railway playoffs? Without direct qualifications, Lost pot 4
After the first two games, however, the German team is also at least an option for the German team to complete their qualification group as a group winner. If she does not do this and only becomes second in a group, a detour via the playoffs would be necessary. There she could make up for the qualification if necessary.
However, the Lost pot 4 would be the episode for German team – the placement in the world rankings no longer plays a role. Because the playoff games only take place on March 26th (semi-finals) and March 31, 2026 (final) far after the World Cup draw. In this case, the test game planned for March 30 would have to be canceled or laid.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
10.10. | Luxembourg (H) |
13.10. | Northern Ireland (A) |
14.11. | Luxembourg (A) |
17.11. | Slovakia (H) |
30.03. | Ivory coast (H) |
May 31. | Finland (H) |
*More games have not yet been set
Draw in Washington
The draw of the twelve preliminary round groups will be on December 5, 2025 in John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts drawn in Washington DC. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump announced the appointment and the place at a joint appearance in the White House.
US President Donald Trump (left) with FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Trump became the chairman of the Kennedy Center in his second term. At the time, he criticized that LGBTQ content was part of the program and promised to determine what will be listed in the Kennedy Center in the future. The draw of the World Cup is one of the approved content in the originally non-partisan cultural institution.