The World Cup draw is one of the most anticipated moments in sport. But beneath the surface, it’s a masterclass in the psychology of pressure and performance.

This year, the stakes feel even higher. With President Donald Trump joining FIFA President Gianni Infantino to open the event in Washington, their speeches highlight the scale of a draw that has always reached beyond football.

While the star power – from co-hosts Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez to performances by Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and the Village People, plus appearances from Rio Ferdinand, Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal – will grab the early headlines, fans know the real tension begins once the pots open.

As millions tune in to see who gets a favourable group, who’s dropped into a so-called “group of death” and which underdog might suddenly have a path to glory, the draw also reveals something bigger: how to respond when the world is watching and the pressure is dialled to maximum.

In few places is that more visible than at work. Whether you’re a manager, a team member or a CEO of a small business, the dynamics playing out during the World Cup draw will feel surprisingly familiar.

How Anticipation Turns Into Anxiety

Long before the draw even happens, national teams are already picking apart every possibility, shuffling through every likely group, and imagining how it all might play out.

We saw a version of this in the African qualifiers, where South Africa spent months navigating permutations and pressure before eventually securing their place at the 2026 finals. Their journey showed that often the most stressful period is not the competition itself, but that long, agonising stretch of uncertainty that precedes clarity.

Businesses behave in much the same way: A restructure is announced, or a major client pitch approaches, and suddenly the rumour mill bursts into life. The lesson for leaders is simple. In moments of uncertainty, the goal isn’t to predict every outcome. The goal is to reduce fear with clarity and calm communication.

Talent Matters, but So Does the Draw You Get

It’s inevitable that some teams will walk away from the draw satisfied and others may need a quiet minute backstage. While talent is essential in football, the reality is that some groups demand a lot more than others.

Cape Verde proved as much during qualifiers. The modest-sized volcanic nation secured its first ever World Cup place with a decisive win over Eswatini, a moment that became one of the biggest stories of the cycle. Their achievement was shaped by preparation and opportunity as much as raw ability.

The same goes for workplaces. Even high-performing teams can find themselves facing difficult timelines, challenging clients or sudden shifts in market or industry conditions. Others, meanwhile, may enjoy much smoother paths for reasons beyond their control.

The draw is a reminder of the extent to which circumstances can shape performance. Success isn’t solely about the people in your team, it’s about recognising the environment they’re working in and giving them the support they need to navigate it.

Every Team Needs More Than a Star Player

Football has a long history of humbling teams who rely too heavily on one superstar and a tough group can expose those gaps. 

Curaçao demonstrated that when they become the smallest nation ever to reach World Cup finals – a feat achieved not through one marquee name, but consistency, belief and a collective game plan. Their progress was a reminder that cohesion beats individual brilliance when pressure spikes.

Businesses can also fall into the trap of building everything around one standout individual and assuming their output will compensate for gaps elsewhere. But it’s important to remember that a lone high performer, no matter how exceptional, can’t carry a team forever. In fact, they shouldn’t be expected to in the first place. Investing in systems and support, rather than relying on superheroes, creates stability and ensures teams can function confidently and consistently in the long term.

Leaders Need to Stay Ready

Recent qualifiers have shown how varied football manager’s reactions can be. Some leaders project stability the moment uncertainty hits. Others, such as Steve McClaren, after Jamaica’s qualification setback, end up making difficult decisions about whether they are the right person to lead the next chapter. In elite sport and in work, pressure doesn’t just reveal leaders, sometimes, it reshuffles them.

In workplaces, including small businesses, the same kinds of scenarios can occur after unexpected budgets, sudden resignations, new board expectations or rapid market shifts. People watch how leaders react long before any formal strategy is presented – and the first response can set the emotional tone for everything that follows.

Underdogs Don’t Stay Underdogs for Long

There’s always a moment in a World Cup cycle that shifts expectations. This time, there were two. The aforementioned success stories of Cape Verde and Curaçao, both written off at various stages, turned organised, committed football into something far bigger than the sum of their parts. Their runs were built on clarity, trust and a shared understanding of how they wanted to play. 

Workplaces see versions of this all the time. A small business or SME with a tight knit team can outpace a larger competitor simply because everyone is pulling in the same direction and understands what matters most. When teams have that kind of stability and confidence, the results rarely feel surprising from the inside. 

The Draw Is Random – Success Is Not

The draw may determine who plays whom, but its real value lies in what it exposes: how people handle pressure, how teams adapt and how leaders guide others through moments when the path ahead is unclear.