FIFA will conduct the largest World Cup draw in history on Friday as the 48-team 2026 tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, begins to take formal shape at Washington’s Kennedy Center.
Four debutants, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, will compete on football’s biggest stage for the first time when the tournament kicks off on 11 June next year. «Teams are not there by coincidence,» said Arsene Wenger, noting the strength required to qualify from each confederation.
The world’s top 11 nations have already secured their spots, while No. 12 Italy lead a group of 22 teams battling in playoffs for the final six berths to be decided on 31 March. Argentina will aim to defend their title with 39-year-old Lionel Messi, who enters the competition chasing Miroslav Klose’s all-time goals record.
Matches will be played at 16 venues, including 11 NFL stadiums, with BMO Field in Toronto undergoing expansion to reach 45,000 seats. Attendance is expected to surpass the record set in the 1994 US World Cup.
Ticket prices, however, have sparked criticism. FIFA has released only partial pricing details, with seats ranging from $60 to $6,730 and parking passes costing up to $175. The governing body declined to comment on the increases.
Sixty-four nations, nearly one-third of FIFA’s members, will take part in the draw, though only 42 are fully qualified. Playoff hopefuls include Albania, Kosovo, Suriname and New Caledonia, all seeking a maiden appearance.
In a new competitive wrinkle, FIFA has guaranteed that the top four ranked teams, Spain, Argentina, France and England, cannot meet until the semifinals if they win their groups.
The ceremony will feature U.S. sporting icons Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and MLB star Aaron Judge assisting former England captain Rio Ferdinand. President Donald Trump is expected to attend and receive FIFA’s newly created Peace Prize, adding political theatre to an event traditionally focused on sport.
But for coaches and players, the real drama will come from the draw bowls.
«It really gets kind of real for people,» said former US defender Alexi Lalas.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the road to the 2026 World Cup has delivered its first major milestone as FIFA released updated world rankings for all qualified nations.
