World Cup
2026 World
Cup Draw
live
Updated
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place soon in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has arrived at the Kennedy Center as 12 groups of four teams are formed ahead of next summer in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
We will be joined throughout the draw by a team of journalists based in each of the participating nations — and you can get in touch by emailing live@theathletic.com.
Kevin Hart doing what Gianni Infantino does every time he appears at an event in America, making a joke of that football vs. soccer debate.
Comedian Kevin Hart, leaning into Henry Bushnell's content right here on The Athletic.
GO FURTHER
The World Cup is coming to North America: So in 2026, is it ‘football’ or ‘soccer’?
Trump looking slightly bored at the singing.
An absolute belter of a high note, though.
Tough for Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger to live up to that!
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli bringing a touch of class to proceedings, belting out the all-time classic song Nessun Dorma.
Just call him the postman: Bocelli always delivers.
Someone should tell Governor Shapiro that's not possible based on the bracket!
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has a request: “Let’s pray for a USA-Mexico matchup on July 4th right here in Philly.”
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan on his recent conversations with U.S. national team coach Mauricio Pochettino:
💬 “Yeah, I was fortunate enough to be around the U.S. team during the last camp and just having a chat with him about myself, about himself, talking about what I've got planned in the future and what's next.
“So, just general soccer talk. I know he's extremely excited about not only the team, but also the fact that this tournament is gonna be here in 2026 because it's gonna be amazing.”
It's fantastic to have you with us here on The Athletic.
Thanks to super Michael Bailey.
Now let's get into the meat and drink of the World Cup draw ceremony!
This is going to be one of the sporting and cultural events of the year.
Let's get into it.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino spoke to Stu Holden a little while ago on the Fox broadcast.
💬 “This is my first time, I am so excited, looking forward to it. We are so full of adrenaline now, waiting for the draw, to know your opening. But at the same time to enjoy it, because it's a unique event.”
On how much the USMNT's preparation will change based on today's draw:
“It’s not really going to change too much. Because I think it’s like we’ve prepared all the games in the past, like we’re going to prepare for Belgium and Portugal (friendly matches in March).
“But still I think we need to develop and evolve in the way we want to play. The last few months were very good but I think we’re still improving.
“We are going to be focused on us, how we need to improve in different areas where I think we’re still not good enough.”
Gotham FC and USWNT midfielder Jaedyn Shaw has made a guest appearance in Times Square.
Fans got to see a replay of her iconic goal for Gotham against Orlando Pride in the recent NWSL semifinals.
Shaw joined the team in September and was crucial in helping Gotham win their second championship in three seasons.
Not a huge crowd in San Francisco, but what a tree.
At the Frisco, Texas watch party in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, there are some cool trinkets from past World Cups.
They include a recap book from the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, and a player ID from the 1934 tournament in Italy.
Hello from Philadelphia, where Stateside Live! (formerly Xfinity Live!) is filling up in the middle of the day on a Friday, with no major game in sight.
Gritty is currently making the rounds, to the delight of fans.
Greetings from inside the Brazen Head Irish Pub, the host of one of the three World Cup Draw watch parties in Toronto.
A small crowd is already here an hour before the draw begins.
The pub knows how to decorate. There are “Go Canada Go!” and Canadian flags scattered throughout!
This crowd in New York is growing by the minute, and they’re doing what they can to stay warm.
We have some keep-away between young footballers, and some fans have started dancing along to music that’s just started blaring from the DJ.
Former U.S.A. and Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan talking now, just said as a goalkeeper he likes the roof closed to eliminate all the variables …
But as a fan, he wants it open, even if it’s a little hot and muggy.
There will be 16 host cities at the tournament next summer, showing how much the World Cup has grown since its inception in 1930 when just one city, Montevideo in Uruguay, hosted matches.
The furthest apart two stadiums were in 1930 was just 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometres), whereas at the 2026 edition it will be the 2,800 miles (4,506km) between Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and BC Place in Vancouver.
The message from the U.S. Embassy to fans and travelling media alike for the World Cup next summer, is to get those visa applications in nice and early.
They expect between five and seven million visitors to hit the host cities on top of usual summer travel, and demand on the visa system will be huge.
A string ensemble is playing inside the Kennedy Center.
We expect lots of other musical performances later ahead of the draw, too.
Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger. Maybe some yodelling from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, if we’re lucky.