The draw for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This event marks a pivotal moment in football, as it will determine the groups for the tournament set to begin on June 11, 2026, and run through July 19, 2026. The World Cup will feature a total of 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 stadiums located in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The draw will be co-hosted by television personalities Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, and will include performances by renowned artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams, alongside the Village People. Dignitaries from all three host nations, including the President of the United States, will be in attendance to witness this ceremonial event.
FIFA has confirmed that only 42 of the 48 teams have qualified so far, with the remaining spots to be filled through playoffs scheduled for late March 2026. The draw itself will focus exclusively on grouping the teams, while a separate event scheduled for December 6 will outline the match schedule, venues, and kickoff times for the first-round matches.
How to Watch the Draw Live
Viewers in the United States can catch the live broadcast of the draw on FOX (in English) and Telemundo (in Spanish). Coverage will commence at 11:30 a.m. ET, with FOX hosting a pre-draw segment featuring analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden. The actual draw will last for two hours, followed by extended analysis until 3 p.m. ET.
For those who prefer streaming, both networks will offer the event on their respective platforms, FOX One and Peacock (Telemundo). The event will also be accessible via their official websites and social media channels.
Radio Coverage and Additional Details
Listeners can tune in to the draw via radio on FOX’s SiriusXM channel 83, which will provide pre- and post-draw coverage on its soccer channel, SiriusXM FC (channel 157).
It’s important to note that, for the first time in World Cup history, the match venues will not be revealed during the draw itself. Instead, FIFA will hold a separate event on December 6 at noon ET to disclose the match schedule and venues, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino leading the announcement alongside former players who will offer analysis.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup, fans around the world are eager to see how their teams will be grouped and the potential paths they will take to reach the final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
