The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the first edition with 48 teams – will take place Friday, December 5th, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time (9 a.m. Pacific). This event will determine the group stage matchups for the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded format, a significant shift in FIFA competition, means more nations will compete for the title.
Where to Watch Globally
The draw will be streamed for free on FIFA’s official website and YouTube channel, ensuring worldwide accessibility. However, regional broadcasters also offer live coverage:
- United States: Peacock, Fox, and Fox One. Several streaming services carry Fox, including Fubo ($56/month), Sling ($61/month), DirecTV ($70/month), YouTube TV ($83/month), and Hulu + Live TV ($83/month).
- United Kingdom: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (free).
- Canada: TSN and TSN Plus.
- Australia: SBS (free).
Event Details & Key Participants
The ceremony will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and will feature performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and The Village People. Celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum, and Danny Ramirez will co-host the event. Attendees include FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Rio Ferdinand will conduct the draw alongside Samantha Johnson and sports icons like Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O’Neal, and Aaron Judge.
The Draw Format Explained
Forty-two nations have already qualified, with the remaining spots determined through UEFA playoffs and intercontinental matches. Teams will be divided into four pots of 12, with the co-hosts and top-ranked teams in Pot 1. Twelve groups of four will be formed, aiming to minimize confederation overlap within each group (with some exceptions for European teams).
Qualified Teams (As of Dec. 5th)
The confirmed participants include defending champions Argentina, as well as strong contenders like Spain and England. The full list includes:
- Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA
- AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
- CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- OFC: New Zealand
- UEFA: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland.
- UEFA Playoff Teams: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled for June 11th to July 19th, with the opening match in Mexico City and the final in New Jersey. The expansion to 48 teams marks a significant change in international soccer, increasing opportunities for participation but also raising questions about competitiveness and tournament structure.
