Before the World Cup kicks off next summer, teams need clarity on their rivals, the cities where they will compete, and the route leading them to the finals.
So how do we find out this information? Get set for the World Cup draw!
FOX Sports revealed on Friday that it will be the first U.S. broadcaster to live stream a three-and-a-half-hour event showcasing the World Cup draw.
The live coverage starts on Friday, December 5, at 11:30 a.m. ET on FOX from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This event will delineate the groups for 48 teams, including the U.S. Men’s National Team and co-hosts Mexico and Canada.
The actual drawing is scheduled from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET, and FOX will continue broadcasting until 3:00 PM ET, offering immediate analysis, reactions, and interviews afterward.
Rob Stone and Jenny Taft, experienced sportscasters from FOX Sports, will lead the onsite broadcasts, alongside former men’s team stars and celebrity analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden.
Before and after the December 5 drawing, FOX Sports will air two exclusive digital shows. A preview show will air on Monday, December 1, at 8 a.m. ET, and a reaction show on Monday, December 8, will dissect the significant storylines of next summer’s eagerly anticipated event. Lalas and Holden will be joined by more U.S. soccer legends in both shows.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be the most expansive in history, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A total of 48 teams will participate in 104 matches taking place across 16 host cities. In the U.S., games will occur in 11 locations, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Next summer’s World Cup marks FOX Sports’ sixth presentation of this esteemed tournament. It follows their award-winning coverage of the men’s tournaments in 2022 (Qatar) and 2018 (Russia), as well as the women’s tournaments in 2023 (Australia and New Zealand) and 2019 (France). The network has garnered multiple prestigious accolades over its 10 years of World Cup coverage, including eight Sports Emmy Awards.
The U.S. Men’s National Team, in its 12th World Cup appearance, will compete in group stage matches on June 12 (Los Angeles), June 19 (Seattle), and June 25 (Los Angeles).
Fan Take: This upcoming draw is pivotal for soccer fans as it sets the stage for thrilling matchups and rivalries that will unfold in the World Cup. It not only stimulates excitement for the tournament itself but also strengthens the global culture of soccer, encouraging more viewers to engage with the sport.
