The Final Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday, 5 December 2025 at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., FIFA confirmed, with the venue also announced by the Kennedy Center.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs 11 June to 19 July 2026, featuring an expanded 48-team format: 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a Round of 32. The opening match is slated for Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on 11 June; the final is scheduled for MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on 19 July.
Hosts have been pre-assigned: Mexico in Group A (Match 1), Canada in Group B (Match 2) and the USA in Group D (Match 3).
Qualification is nearing completion. As of mid-October, confirmed entrants include England (first UEFA side to qualify), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan (debut), Jordan (debut), Cape Verde (debut), and others across all confederations, with remaining places to be decided via UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs.
FIFA says the draw will be broadcast globally via its media partners and digital platforms
