The countdown to the first 48-team World Cup begins as the World Cup draw starts on Friday in Washington, D.C. The event marks a key milestone for the expanded 2026 tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be held across North America from June 11 to July 19. With 48 teams participating, it is the largest World Cup in history, up from 32 teams in Qatar 2022. The draw will determine group placements and matchups for all participating nations.
The World Cup draw starts at the Kennedy Center on the banks of the Potomac River. The ceremony will be a star-studded event, co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart. Performances will feature Village People, Andrea Bocelli, and Robbie Williams, while sporting icons Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal will assist with the draw.
US President Donald Trump is expected to be the center of attention. He will receive the FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony for efforts in promoting unity through sports. FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted Trump’s involvement, noting his strong support for the tournament and its integration into US celebrations of the 250th anniversary of independence.
The World Cup draw starts amid political complexities, including initial threats from Iran to boycott the event over visa issues. Iran later confirmed attendance with representatives, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei. Leaders from Canada and Mexico will also attend, reflecting the tournament’s tri-nation hosting format.
Top-seeded teams include reigning champions Argentina, European champions Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The 48-team format features 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. First-time qualifiers include Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curacao.
The opening match will take place at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, and the final is set for MetLife Stadium near New York City. Full match schedules and venues will be released a day after the draw, completing the first step in planning the largest World Cup in history.
In other news read more about: Argentina Qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup
