Final World Cup 2026 draw is scheduled for Washington on December 5
US President Donald Trump has declared that the 2026 men’s World Cup draw will be held in Washington this December.
48 countries—up from 32—will compete in the competition, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
When the US hosted the tournament in 1994, the draw was completed in Las Vegas, as had been anticipated.
But instead, the draw will take place at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts venue where Trump serves as chairman, on December 5.
“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump stated.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, participated in the draw announcement from the White House’s Oval Office while carrying the World Cup trophy.
“The draw will be broadcast live all over the world and will be watched by one billion viewers,” Infantino stated.
There will be 48 teams taking part. There will be 104 Super Bowls and 104 games.
During Friday’s news conference, Infantino gave Trump the chance to handle the trophy. “Can I keep it?” Trump enquired.
The 48 teams will be split up into 12 groups of four for the draw. The eight best third-place teams and the top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stages.
