Football’s greatest story is preparing to turn a new page in the heart of the United States. On Friday, December 5, 2025, the world’s eyes will fix on Washington, D.C., where the majestic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw , the moment that will shape destinies for 48 nations chasing immortality.
History Meets Football
The announcement was made at the White House by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, cementing the Kennedy Center as the stage where football and culture intertwine. A symbol of America’s artistic spirit and a tribute to President John F. Kennedy, the venue will welcome team delegates, host city fans, and global media for a night that blends heritage with sporting anticipation.
Fans at the Heart of the Draw
For the first time in history, fans will not just watch from afar but step into the story. Supporters from each of the 16 Host Cities, two in Canada, three in Mexico, and eleven across the U.S., will be offered the chance to attend through a special lottery granting complimentary VIP admission. For the lucky few, it will be a golden ticket into football’s most exclusive theatre.
Who’s Already In
The draw, starting at 12:00 local time (18:00 CET), will confirm the group-stage battles for the biggest World Cup ever staged. The three hosts are already seeded: Mexico (Group A1), Canada (Group B1), and the United States (Group D1).
Joining them are ten qualified nations, led by defending champions Argentina, as well as giants like Brazil, Japan, and Australia. The expanded stage will also welcome debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan, who will taste World Cup football for the very first time.
By draw day, 42 of the 48 teams will be locked in, with the last six decided in a new play-off tournament in March 2026 to be held in North America.
The Road Ahead
The anticipation doesn’t end there. On April 30, 2026, Vancouver will host the 76th FIFA Congress, paving the way for the curtain-raiser at Mexico City’s legendary Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.
From the draw in Washington to the roar in Mexico, from the maple leaf of Canada to the deserts of Mexico and the skyscrapers of America, the world’s game will stretch across a continent, uniting millions in one shared dream.
Destiny Awaits
The Kennedy Center will soon transform from a hall of art into a cathedral of footballing fate. The names pulled from its stage will not just fill groups , they will script stories, rivalries, and miracles yet to be lived.
For 48 nations, the path to glory begins not with a kick of a ball, but with the pull of a name in Washington, D.C.
