2018 FIFA World Cup draw: start time, stream info, discussion

While we in the US may not have as personal of a stake in it as we might want, the draw for the World Cup final is set for this morning. How does the draw work? There’s four shiny pots, each containing eight ping pong balls. One name is drawn from each pot, that’s group A. One more name from each, group B. Repeat H times, and there you are, the World Cup groups.

It’s a bit more complex than that, actually; no two non-UEFA teams can be in the same group, and no UEFA team can have more than one other UEFA team in its group. So there are a few wrinkles to the straight-up four pot draw, but that’s basically how it works. There are a few more details, including scenarios for England that help explain the pot system, here.

This is your World Cup draw open thread - watch it there, and while you do, talk about it here!

WHAT: 2018 FIFA World Cup draw

WHERE: Moscow, Russia

WHEN: Friday, December 1 7AM PT/10AM ET

HOW (to watch): In the US, the draw is live on Fox Sports 1. For worldwide info, check livesoccer.tv for details.