The official draw for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., this December, marking a shift from earlier expectations that had placed the event in Las Vegas.
The announcement was made at the White House, where United States President Donald Trump confirmed the new venue as the Kennedy Center, a prominent performing arts facility where he also serves as chairman.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will see a historic expansion of the tournament to 48 participating nations, up from the traditional 32.
🎟️ Row 1, Seat 1, Ticket #45/47
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 22, 2025
The FIRST 2026 FIFA World Cup Final ticket presented. 🏆⚽️ pic.twitter.com/5W8KiyH8S3
The group stage will be restructured accordingly, with teams set to be drawn into 12 groups of four. From there, the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the knockout rounds.
The draw is scheduled for 5 December and will be broadcast globally, with an anticipated audience of one billion viewers.
This expanded format will result in a total of 104 matches, significantly increasing the scale of the competition. The event will be a key milestone in the run-up to the tournament, setting the stage for the matchups and group compositions that will define the early phases of the competition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined President Trump at the Oval Office for the announcement, bringing the World Cup trophy along to mark the occasion. The upcoming draw will play a crucial role in outlining the journey for each of the 48 teams as they prepare to compete in what will be the largest World Cup in the tournament’s history.
