Who is Performing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw? Complete Line-Up
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw happens on December 5, 2025, and it promises to be spectacular. This isn’t just about learning which teams play each other. FIFA planned a massive entertainment show featuring some of the biggest names in music and Hollywood.
The draw takes place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. Millions of fans worldwide will watch as the ceremony officially begins the countdown to the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
When and Where is the Draw Happening?
The Final Draw occurs on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. European fans can tune in at 6:00 PM Central European Time.
FIFA chose the Kennedy Center in Washington DC for good reason. The United States serves as one of three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. This historic venue regularly hosts world-class performances and provides the perfect backdrop for such an important moment.
The draw determines matchups for the biggest World Cup ever organized. Three countries will host matches across 16 different cities from Vancouver to Mexico City to Miami.
The Hosts Taking the Stage
Three talented hosts will guide viewers through the ceremony. Supermodel Heidi Klum returns to the World Cup draw after participating in the 2006 event when Germany hosted. She brings over 25 years of entertainment experience from Project Runway to America’s Got Talent.
Comedian Kevin Hart adds his signature high-energy humor to the show. His Netflix special “Acting My Age” ranks as the platform’s number one standup special. Hart starred in blockbuster films like Jumanji and recently finished a record-breaking comedy tour.
Actor Danny Ramirez brings a special connection to the event. He was born in Chicago and has Mexican heritage. His recent roles include Top Gun: Maverick and Captain America: Brave New World. Ramirez actually played football at New York University before pursuing acting.
Musical Performances: The Complete Line-Up
FIFA assembled an incredible group of performers representing different musical styles.
Andrea Bocelli opens the show with his legendary voice. The Italian tenor sold over 90 million records and performed for world leaders and at Olympic Games. His 2020 Easter performance at Milan’s Duomo became one of the most-watched classical livestreams ever.
Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger deliver what promises to be a show-stopping performance. Williams serves as FIFA Music Ambassador and sold over 90 million albums during his career. He holds 18 BRIT Awards and just wrapped a European tour that drew 1.2 million fans. His new album “BRITPOP” drops on February 6, 2026.
Scherzinger won a Tony Award this year for her Broadway role in Sunset Blvd. She became famous as the Pussycat Dolls frontwoman with hits like “Don’t Cha” and “Buttons.” Her versatility spans from performing with Bocelli to voicing characters in Disney’s Moana films.
Village People close the show with their anthem “Y.M.C.A.” and the famous dance everyone knows. The iconic group sold over 100 million records worldwide. Their signature song earned spots in both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry. Original singer Victor Willis returned in 2017 and brought the group back onto the charts.
How to Watch the Draw Live
You don’t need a cable subscription or any other paid service to watch this event. FIFA streams the complete ceremony for free on their official website at FIFA.com. You can watch from any computer or mobile device without needing to create an account.
The FIFA World Cup social media channels also broadcast the draw live. Check YouTube and Facebook for the official pages. These platforms let you watch on any device and include live chat features.
Major sports networks worldwide will air the draw on television too. American fans should check FOX Sports. UK viewers can find coverage on BBC or ITV. Other countries can check their primary sports broadcasters for details.
Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t miss the start. The entertainment begins right away before the actual draw proceedings.
Why This Draw Matters
This ceremony marks the moment when the 2026 World Cup becomes real instead of just an idea. Teams learn their group stage opponents. Coaches can start serious game planning. Fans can begin making travel arrangements and buying tickets.
The expansion to 48 teams represents the biggest format change in World Cup history. More nations participate than ever before. More matches get played across three countries.
The draw determines which teams land in favorable groups and which face brutal “groups of death” filled with powerhouses. Those assignments shape entire tournaments. An early exit crushes dreams while an easier path builds momentum.
The three-host-nation format adds complexity too. Geography matters more when matches span from Canada through the United States to Mexico. Teams want to minimize travel while maximizing rest between games.
How the World Cup Draw Will Work
FIFA hasn’t announced the specific draw conductors yet. Those names get revealed closer to December 5. Football legends typically handle pulling team names from the various pots.
The 48 qualified teams get divided into pots based on FIFA world rankings. Pot 1 contains the highest-ranked teams including the three host nations. The remaining pots contain progressively lower-ranked teams.
The draw assigns teams into groups while following certain rules. Teams from the same confederation generally cannot share a group except for European nations. FIFA allows up to two European teams per group due to the large number of European qualifiers.
Each group contains teams from different pots to ensure competitive balance. This prevents any single group from containing too many powerhouses.
Entertainment performances happen between the technical portions. Andrea Bocelli likely performs early to set the tone. Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger probably take the stage around the midpoint. Village People close everything after all groups are finalized.
The hosts will interview football legends in attendance and provide analysis as groups form. Reactions from team representatives add drama when rivals end up together.
December 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time is the date you need to remember. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw features world-class entertainment and determines groups for the biggest tournament in football history. Stream it free on FIFA.com or catch it on your local sports network.
