The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on 11 June with 48 teams across three host nations. That means 48 people can enter your sweep, the biggest field in World Cup history, and someone in your group is about to spend six weeks passionately supporting a country they had never heard of before. Here is everything you need to run it properly.
What Is a World Cup Sweepstake?
A football sweepstake is a group competition where each participant pays a fixed amount to enter, then gets randomly assigned one of the 48 competing nations. If your team wins the tournament, you win the pot. With 48 teams in 2026, more people can join than ever before, which makes the pot bigger and keeps more of the group interested deep into the tournament.
The 48 World Cup 2026 Teams
These are the 48 confirmed nations competing at FIFA World Cup 2026, organised by group.
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Czechia
- Canada
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Qatar
- Switzerland
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
- United States
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Türkiye
- Germany
- Curaçao
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Ecuador
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- France
- Senegal
- Iraq
- Norway
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
- Portugal
- Congo DR
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
How to Run a World Cup 2026 Sweepstake
Step 1. Decide your entry fee
Most groups go between $5 and $20 per person. With 48 entries at $10 each, the pot is $480. Agree the amount before anyone draws a team.
Step 2. Decide prize splits
A common structure for 48 teams:
Adjust to suit your group. Some groups do winner takes all. Some give a small consolation prize to whoever draws the worst team.
Step 3. Do the draw
Use the Sweeppot World Cup 2026 generator to assign teams to participants. All 48 teams are pre-loaded. Add your participants, spin the wheel, and the draw happens live. Share the results instantly.
Step 4. Collect the money before the draw
The biggest problem with sweepstakes is people who commit, draw a good team, then disappear without paying. Collect entry fees before anyone draws a team. No pay, no team.
Step 5. Follow the tournament
With 48 teams and a group stage running until early July, you have weeks of interest before the knockout rounds begin. The quarter-finals start mid-July. The final is 19 July.
What If You Have Fewer Than 48 People?
With fewer than 48 participants some teams go unassigned. That is fine. You can either give those teams to existing participants (so some people hold multiple teams) or simply leave them unassigned and only draw for the number of people in your group. The Sweeppot generator handles both.
Run a Paid Sweepstake Online
Collecting cash or bank transfers is a hassle. People forget, people flake, and chasing payment kills the fun before it starts. Sweeppot is building a fully automated system where everyone pays before the draw happens. Join the waitlist to be notified when it launches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?
48 teams, expanded from 32 at the previous tournament. This is the first World Cup with 48 nations.
When does the World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026. The final is on 19 July 2026.
Where is the World Cup 2026 held?
Across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How do I do a World Cup sweepstake online?
Use the free Sweeppot World Cup 2026 generator. All 48 teams are pre-loaded. Add your participants, spin the wheel to assign teams, and copy the results to share with your group. No account needed.
What is a fair entry fee for a World Cup sweepstake?
Most groups go between $5 and $20 per person. The most common amount for an office sweep is $10.
Can I run a World Cup sweepstake for free?
Yes. The free sweepstake generator is completely free. No account needed.