The event Friday will determine matchups for the expanded 48-team tournament spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada.
WASHINGTON — The eyes of the soccer world will turn to the nation’s capital Friday as FIFA unveils the groups for the 2026 World Cup, with a celebrity-packed entertainment lineup set to accompany the draw ceremony.
The draw takes place at noon at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event will determine matchups for the expanded 48-team tournament spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Model Heidi Klum will co-host alongside comedian Kevin Hart and actor Danny Ramirez. Klum also hosted the 2006 World Cup draw in her native Germany.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform alongside pop star Robbie Williams, who appears with Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger. Disco group Village People will close the ceremony with their anthem “Y.M.C.A.,” a favorite of President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the ceremony along with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The draw ceremony represents a major milestone for what will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 104 matches across 16 host cities from June 11 through July 19, 2026.
Former soccer star Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson will run the draw proceedings, while retired sports legends Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge will appear on stage. Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning will serve as red carpet host.
The Kennedy Center will welcome team officials, ambassadors and fans representing the tournament’s host cities for the draw, which will be broadcast globally by FIFA’s media partners.
Of the 48 total spots in the tournament, 42 have been determined. The United States, Mexico and Canada will be assigned to specific group positions as host nations, while 22 teams competing in Friday’s draw remain in playoff contention for the final six berths, which will be decided March 31.
The draw will create 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place finishers will advance to a round of 32, followed by single-elimination matches leading to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19, 2026.
The 2026 tournament marks the first time the World Cup will be hosted across three countries and will feature the most teams in the competition’s history. Defending champion Argentina has already qualified, along with Brazil, Japan, Australia and several other nations.
FIFA will release additional schedule details, including kickoff times and specific venue assignments for all 104 matches, following the draw.