2026 FIFA World Cup Draw Set for Washington, D.C.: What Fans Need to Know

Expanded 48-team tournament brings new format and fresh excitement

Get ready, soccer fans—the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off with the tournament draw in none other than Washington, D.C. This Friday, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, you can catch all the action live—whether you prefer your commentary in English or Spanish—on Telemundo, the Telemundo app, Peacock, FIFA.com, and Fox. Grab your favorite jersey and maybe a lucky snack; the world’s biggest football party is about to get its guest list. The occasion is expected to be more than a routine ceremony, with a celebrity-packed World Cup draw event in Washington set to turn the draw into a global entertainment showcase.

This isn’t just any World Cup—it’s the first to roll out the red carpet for 48 teams, up from the usual 32. And talk about a North American house party: Mexico, Canada, and the United States are sharing hosting duties, each leading their own group. Behind the scenes, tournament organizers are also dealing with the massive operational challenge of World Cup hosting preparations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Picture it: Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B, and the U.S. in Group D, all ready to defend their home turf.

Here’s how the magic happens: teams will be sorted into four “pots” based on world rankings. Europe’s UEFA confederation is sending a whopping 16 teams, Africa brings nine, Asia eight, and both South and North America are sending six each. It’s a global mix that promises plenty of fireworks—and maybe a few surprises.

So far, 42 of the 48 teams have punched their tickets. The last six spots? Those will be decided in March, so there’s still hope for a few underdogs to crash the party.

If you’re following the U.S. national team, mark your calendars: their group stage matches are set for June 12 in Los Angeles, June 19 in Seattle, and June 25 back in Los Angeles. Coast to coast, the Stars and Stripes are ready to make some noise.

As for the draw itself, Pot 1 is expected to be a who’s who of soccer royalty: Canada, Mexico, the U.S., Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Pot 2 is reportedly stacked with Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, and Australia. Pot 3 is said to feature Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. And Pot 4? That’s where you’ll find Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, and New Zealand rounding out the field. It’s like a global potluck—everyone’s bringing something to the table. The scale of the event will be matched by the spectacle surrounding it, with the Washington draw also set to feature a star-studded guest list and high-profile entertainment lineup.

The full tournament picture will finally come into focus after the draw. So stay tuned, keep your scarves handy, and get ready for the twists and turns as the road to the 2026 World Cup continues. The countdown is on!