The Final Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the Nation’s Capital.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. will host the draw on December 5 at 12 p.m., FIFA announced Friday. United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed the news during a live broadcast from the White House.
Fans from each of the 16 host cities will be able to participate in a special lottery for the chance to win complimentary admission to the event.
“We are excited to host the most anticipated Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup in history in the cultural and entertainment heart of the United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC,” Infantino said in an interview.
“The draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever, as we get set for many landmark FIFA events across North America throughout 2026,” he added. “We look forward to welcoming the team delegations, our partners, global media, and, uniquely, fans representing each of the 16 wonderful Host Cities, to the capital of the United States for this significant occasion.”
Host nations Mexico, Canada, and the United States will be assigned to positions A1, B1, and D1 as per the match schedule that FIFA released in 2024. In addition to the World Cup tournament itself, the playoff tournament will also be hosted in North America in March 2026, where six nations will compete for the final two spots in the tournament.
Defending World Cup champions Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, New Zealand and Uzbekistan have qualified for the summer tournament. The United States, Mexico, and Canada were already guaranteed World Cup berths after serving as host nations.
The World Cup schedule will officially begin on Thursday June 11 with Mexico in action in Mexico City. Both the U.S. men’s national team and Canada will begin their schedules on June 12.
The video literally makes me want to boycott the world cup being held in my own country.