The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday in Washington, and it promises to be one of the most glamorous and politically charged ceremonies in the tournament’s history. The event will outline the journey to football’s biggest prize for the 48 teams participating—an expansion from the 32 teams featured in Qatar 2022.
Set for 5pm GMT at the Kennedy Center, the ceremony blends football, entertainment, and politics, with former U.S. President Donald Trump expected to play a major role. The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, marking the most logistically complex edition ever.
Trump to Receive FIFA Peace Prize
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has maintained a close relationship with Trump, is expected to present him with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize. According to Infantino, the award recognises individuals who unite people and bring hope for future generations.
Trump recently became chairman of the Kennedy Center—the venue for the draw—which is a short walk from the White House. He has also made the World Cup a central part of his second presidential term and the U.S. 250th independence anniversary celebrations coming up next year.
A Star-Studded Ceremony
The event will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart. Musical performances will come from Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli. Sports icons such as Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal will also participate in the draw.
World leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are expected in attendance.
Political Drama Ahead of the Draw
The ceremony had earlier faced diplomatic tension after Iran threatened to boycott the event over visa issues, calling the U.S. stance political. However, Iran has since reversed the decision and will now attend.
Footballing Stakes
Argentina, the reigning champions from Qatar 2022, enter the tournament as one of the top seeds. Lionel Messi, who will be 39 during the competition, expressed hope that he will still feature for his country. Other top seeds include Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the three host nations.
The tournament expansion allows countries like Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curacao to make their World Cup debuts.
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Tournament Format
The 48 teams will be grouped into 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the last 32. For the first time, the draw format ensures that the four highest-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—cannot meet until the semi-finals if they all top their groups.
Six spots are still undecided and will be filled by the winners of upcoming playoffs. Big teams will hope to avoid facing Italy early, as the former champions remain one of the strongest unseeded sides.
Host Cities and Key Dates
The opening match will take place at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, while the final is set for the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Because of the tournament’s complexity, teams will only know their full match schedules and venues a day after the draw.
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be an unforgettable mix of sport, politics, and global entertainment as the world counts down to kickoff.
