Draw Time: Results & Analysis

2026 World Cup Draw Set for December 5th in Washington D.C.

The draw for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and mexico, will take place this Friday, December 5th, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., beginning at 6 p.m. French time. The event promises to be a global spectacle, drawing attention from football fans worldwide.

The tournament, scheduled for June 11th to July 19th, marks a significant shift in the competition’s format. FIFA has expanded the World Cup to include 48 teams, a change described as “Maxi Big Mac” by some observers, resulting in a total of 104 matches played across sixteen host cities and three time zones. This expansion aims to provide more nations with a pathway to the tournament, increasing global participation and revenue.

Did you know?-The 2026 World Cup will be the first jointly hosted tournament across three countries: the United States,Canada,and Mexico. Sixteen cities have been selected to host matches.

High-profile figures are expected to attend the draw, including French national team coach Didier Deschamps, and notably, former United States President Donald trump. A photograph released ahead of the event shows Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, both anticipated to be present at the ceremony.

The anticipation builds as the world reflects on the previous World Cup, which culminated in a dramatic victory for Argentina, with the trophy last seen in the hands of Lionel Messi in Doha in December 2022.This Friday’s draw will begin to chart the course for the next chapter in football’s most prestigious tournament.

Pro tip:-The draw will determine the group stage matchups for the 48 qualifying teams. Seeding will be based on the FIFA World Ranking at the time of the draw.

The expanded format represents a major evolution for the World Cup, and logistical challenges are expected given the vast geographical spread across North America. The continent is traversed by four time zones, though only three will be relevant for the tournament’s scheduling.Organizers are working to minimize travel burdens for teams and fans, utilizing the extensive transportation infrastructure of the host nations.

[Image of Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino: Donald Trump and Gianni infantino, two of the personalities expected in Washington this Friday, December 5, 2025, for the draw for the 2026 World Cup. | CHIP SOMODEVILLA / AFP]

Reader question:-How will the expanded format affect the competitiveness of the tournament? What changes do you anticipate with 48 teams?