The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Washington on Friday, with U.S. President Donald Trump set to feature prominently during the high-profile ceremony. The event will map out the tournament path for the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup — the most logistically challenging in history — will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. With 16 more teams added compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar, organizers expect a broader global spread of participants.
The ceremony, scheduled for 1700 GMT at the Kennedy Center, will feature some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports. Trump is expected to receive the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during the event, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino says recognizes individuals who “unite people and bring hope for future generations.”
Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump in recent years, marked by several visits to the White House.
The draw will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart, with performances by Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, and the Village People. Sporting legends such as Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal will also participate.
Trump has positioned the World Cup as a major highlight of his second term and the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026. However, he has drawn criticism for mixing politics with tournament preparations, threatening to move matches away from cities governed by Democrats if he considers them “unsafe.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are also expected to attend.
The tournament will open at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium and close at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Eleven of the 16 host cities are in the United States, with three in Mexico and two in Canada.
The event has already sparked controversy, with Iran initially threatening to boycott after the U.S. denied visas to several members of its delegation. Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, will still be present.
Reigning champions Argentina enter as one of the top seeds, alongside Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the three host nations. Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, has expressed hope of participating.
The expanded format will create opportunities for first-time qualifiers such as Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curaçao.
FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, defended the tournament’s expansion, calling it a “natural evolution.” The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout stages — including the eight best third-placed teams.
For the first time, FIFA will keep the four highest-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—separated until the semi-finals, provided they all top their groups.
Six final tournament spots will be decided in upcoming playoffs, where former champions Italy loom as a dangerous unseeded team.
Because of the tournament’s complexity, teams will receive details of venues and match times on Saturday, a day after the draw
