The 2026 World Cup draw will take place on 5 December at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump announced the venue change alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House. Meanwhile, both men framed the moment as a milestone on the road to 2026.
Format and Schedule
Crucially, the 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams. As a result, FIFA will use 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to a Round of 32, MSN reports. Furthermore, organisers have set the competition window for 11 June to 19 July across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Politics and Pageantry
At the announcement, Trump called it “the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” while Infantino described the draw as a “major tournament milestone,”
Previously, reports had tipped Las Vegas to host the ceremony; however, Washington secured it instead. In a showpiece moment, Infantino handed Trump the World Cup trophy, saying only presidents and winners may touch it. Trump also received a symbolic “Row 1, Seat 1” ticket for the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium, according to SuperSport.
Security and Optics
Beyond the football, Trump linked the decision to broader preparations in the capital. Notably, he touted a federal crime crackdown intended to make Washington safer for visiting fans during the event. Moreover, he referred to planned upgrades at the Kennedy Center.
What it Means for Fans
Altogether, the 2026 World Cup draw will lock in every team’s path under the new format. Consequently, supporters can start plotting travel, rivalries and knockout routes once the balls come out in Washington. For South African readers, the 2026 World Cup draw signals a bigger, longer tournament—and, importantly, more football to follow.
