Washington, D.C. Lands Prestigious 2026 World Cup Draw Ceremony This December

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that Washington, D.C. will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony.

The 48 qualified nations for the tournament will be sorted into 12 groups, determining their competition routes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5th.

"It's an incredible privilege to welcome this worldwide spectacle and this amazing collection of individuals and these extraordinary athletes – the finest competitors on the planet – to the cultural hub of our nation's capital," Trump stated. "The 2026 FIFA World Cup will represent the biggest, most intricate series of sporting events in history. The Kennedy Center will provide it with an outstanding launch and will play a key role."

During the announcement, just 13 nations had secured their spots in the tournament, including co-host countries the United States, Canada and Mexico alongside current champions Argentina, plus Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and first-time participants Uzbekistan and Jordan.

A complete roster of 42 nations will have earned qualification before the draw ceremony, with international match periods and World Cup qualifying contests occurring throughout September, October and November. The final six spots will be decided via intercontinental playoff mechanisms prior to the tournament, though these will appear as unidentified teams during the draw.

"We are thrilled to welcome the most eagerly awaited Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup in history to the cultural and entertainment center of the United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.," FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in an official announcement.

"The draw represents a significant tournament benchmark and one that will extend the extraordinary preparation for the greatest sporting spectacle ever, as we prepare for numerous milestone FIFA events throughout North America during 2026."

Earlier reports indicated that the World Cup draw might take place in Las Vegas, the same location that held the 1994 FIFA World Cup draw, marking the sole previous occasion when the men's competition was staged in the U.S.

When is the FIFA World Cup Draw?

Although additional details regarding the complete procedure remain to be disclosed, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will begin at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT) on December 5th, with the host nations positioned in Pot A as top-seeded teams.

The draw outcomes will establish the tournament schedule, with teams already confirmed across the 16 host cities in the three nations, beginning with the opening match on June 11th between Mexico and an undetermined opponent at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw