The draw for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will occur at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on December 5, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. This highly anticipated event marks a significant milestone as it will be the first World Cup hosted collaboratively by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the tournament will also introduce an expanded format featuring 48 teams.
In a statement made from the Oval Office, President Trump revealed that the draw will take place at noon Eastern Time. He was joined by Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, who emphasized the excitement surrounding this historic tournament. The draw will determine the group stage lineup, where the 48 qualified teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
Sixteen venues have been selected to host matches during the tournament, with 11 located in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. The American cities chosen to serve as host venues are: New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium), Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), Dallas (AT&T Stadium), San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium), Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Seattle (Lumen Field), Houston (NRG Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), Kansas City, Missouri (Arrowhead Stadium), and Boston (Gillette Stadium).
As of now, in addition to the three host nations, ten teams have secured their spots for the tournament. These teams are Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, and Ecuador.
The upcoming World Cup is expected to be a landmark event in the history of international football, showcasing talent from around the globe while also highlighting the collaborative spirit of the host nations. As the date approaches, anticipation is building among fans and teams alike, setting the stage for a thrilling competition in 2026.
