The draw for the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for Friday, December 5th, at noon ET, taking place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This significant event will set the stage for the eagerly awaited summer tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and will conclude on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York City—marking the first time the U.S. will host since 1994.
This draw will also be groundbreaking as it represents the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, following the tournament’s expansion from the usual 32 participants. Currently, 42 teams have qualified, with six more spots still up for grabs through UEFA and intercontinental playoffs in March 2026. The draw will help determine the path to the finals for all the qualified teams, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
When is the draw?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will unveil the group stage allocations for the 42 teams that have already qualified, including the three co-hosts, alongside the six finalists from the upcoming qualifying playoffs.
How to watch the draw
- Date: Friday, December 5th
- Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Location: John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
- Television: Fox
- Streaming: Fubo (with a free trial available)
- Live reactions: CBS Sports Golazo Network Matchday
How the draw is conducted
As hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will be assigned specific positions in the draw: A1 for Mexico (green ball), B1 for Canada (red ball), and D1 for the U.S. (blue ball). The remaining top nine teams in Pot 1 will be determined by colored balls, which will be allocated to groups during the draw.
To ensure competitive balance, the draw will create two distinct routes to the semifinals. The top four teams in FIFA’s Men’s Rankings will be drawn in such a way that they cannot meet until the finals, maintaining the integrity of the tournament.
Moreover, UEFA has regulations in place to prevent more than one team from the same federation occupying any group, with certain exceptions based on confederation guidelines.
Notable attendees
FIFA has confirmed that several well-known personalities will be present at the event, including Eli Manning, Aaron Judge, Tom Brady, and Shaquille O’Neal. Leaders from the co-hosting nations, including Donald Trump, Mark Carney, and Claudia Sheinbaum, will also be in attendance. FIFA President Gianni Infantino will lead the proceedings, while Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and Danny Ramirez will host, featuring performances by Andrea Bocelli and others.
Qualified Teams
- Total qualified: 42 out of 48
- Co-Hosts:
- United States
- Mexico
- Canada
- AFC Qualifiers:
- Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
- Concacaf Qualifying: [List not provided]
- OFC Qualifiers: [List not provided]
- CONMEBOL Qualifiers:
- Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay
- CAF Qualifiers:
- Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Cape Verde, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast
- UEFA Qualifiers:
- England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, Spain, Austria, Belgium
World Cup Pots
The draw will feature teams grouped into four pots, with Pot 4 still to be determined based on ongoing playoffs.
- Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, United States, and other top teams
- Pot 2: Teams like Croatia and Morocco
- Pot 3: Teams including Norway and Panama
- Pot 4: Teams to be confirmed later
Playoff Information
Playoffs will take place during the March international break. UEFA playoffs are scheduled from March 26 to March 31, while interconfederation playoffs will occur simultaneously in Mexico from March 23 to March 31. Ultimately, the draw will finalize the participating teams and allocate them into groups.
World Cup Schedule Announcement
FIFA will release the updated World Cup match schedule on Saturday, following the draw. This schedule aims to maximize accessibility for fans worldwide, ensuring that matches are aired across different time zones.
Fan Take: This draw is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it sets the competitive landscape for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament. With an expanded format and iconic venues, the 2026 World Cup could significantly elevate the profile of soccer in North America.
