2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw: Date, Time, Venue & How to Watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw will mark one of the biggest moments in football before the tournament begins. It’s the ceremony where all 48 nations learn who they’ll face on the road to glory.
The event also confirms the official group pairings and match paths for the first-ever 48-team World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This historic draw takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Fans worldwide will be watching as FIFA officials and football legends reveal the group stage matchups live on stage. It’s the night every fan discovers their nation’s fate for the 2026 World Cup.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025. FIFA confirmed this official date and marks a major milestone in the countdown to the world’s biggest sporting event.
The draw takes place about six months before the tournament kicks off in June 2026. This timing helps teams, fans, and organizers prepare travel plans, ticket arrangements, and logistics once the group pairings are known.
It’s the moment when excitement for the World Cup truly begins, as each nation finds out where and when their group matches will be played across North America’s 16 host cities.
What time does the Final Draw Start
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw is expected to begin at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) in Washington, D.C. The event will last about 90 minutes, featuring live performances, guest appearances, and the official group draw ceremony led by FIFA officials.
Here’s how the start time converts across football regions:
| Region | Local Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern United States | 12:00 PM ET |
| London (UK) | 5:00 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (France, Germany, Spain) | 6:00 PM CET |
| Doha (Qatar) | 8:00 PM AST |
| Cairo (Egypt) | 7:00 PM EET |
| Johannesburg (South Africa) | 7:00 PM SAST |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 2:00 PM ART |
| São Paulo (Brazil) | 2:00 PM BRT |
| New Delhi (India) | 10:30 PM IST |
| Beijing (China) | 1:00 AM CST (Dec 6) |
| Tokyo (Japan) | 2:00 AM JST (Dec 6) |
| Sydney (Australia) | 4:00 AM AEST (Dec 6) |
Fans across continents will tune in to watch the groups revealed live. FIFA is expected to confirm the final broadcast schedule closer to the event, but 12 PM ET remains the official start time.
Where is the World Cup 2026 Final Draw Taking Place
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. It’s one of the most respected cultural venues in the United States, known for hosting global events, concerts, and national ceremonies.
Even though Washington, D.C. is not one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA chose the U.S. capital for its international importance. The Kennedy Center has a seating capacity of about 2,300 guests, offering a grand stage for FIFA officials, team delegates, and world football legends.
This decision reflects the United States’ leading role as the main host nation. The venue’s elegant design and riverside location will provide a formal setting for one of the most anticipated sports events of 2025.
| City | Venue | Capacity | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | 2,300 | Iconic U.S. cultural landmark chosen for global visibility |
Who will Announce the Group Stage Draw Results
The Final Draw will feature FIFA officials, football legends, and invited presenters who will reveal each group live on stage. The official lineup will be confirmed in November 2025.
In past World Cup draws, stars like Cafu, Carli Lloyd and Didier Drogba helped with the ceremony. Each legend picks a ball representing a nation, places it into a group, and a host explains the result. This process is done live, with cameras and officials ensuring transparency.
These appearances add excitement and global attention, turning the draw into both a ceremony and a celebration of football history.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Final Draw Live (TV & Online)
Football fans across the world can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw on TV or through official streaming platforms.
TV Channels
| Country | TV Channel | Language |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FOX Sports, FS1, Telemundo | English / Spanish |
| Canada | TSN, CTV, RDS | English / French |
| United Kingdom | BBC Sport, Sky Sports | English |
| Australia | SBS TV | English |
| Brazil | Globo, SporTV | Portuguese |
| India | Sports18, JioCinema | English / Hindi |
| South Africa | SuperSport | English |
| Qatar & Middle East | beIN Sports | Arabic / English |
Streaming Options
| Platform | Region | Access Type |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA+ | Worldwide | Free stream |
| FOX Sports App | USA | Cable login or TV subscription |
| TSN Direct | Canada | Paid access |
| BBC iPlayer | UK | Free (VPN supported) |
| SBS On Demand | Australia | Free with account |
| beIN CONNECT | Middle East | Subscription |
| JioCinema | India | Free with login |
The draw will also stream live on FIFA’s YouTube channel, reaching millions of fans across multiple languages.
How does the Draw System Work
The draw follows a clear and fair process. All 48 teams are split into four pots based on the FIFA World Ranking in October 2025. Higher-ranked teams go into Pot 1, while lower-ranked teams enter Pot 4.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will lead Groups A, B, and C as host nations. The remaining teams are drawn one at a time from each pot to form twelve groups of four.
Key rules guide the process:
- Each group will have one team from each pot.
- No group can include more than two European nations.
- Teams from the same continent cannot face each other in the same group, except for Europe.
After the draw, the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
Six remaining places will show as placeholders for the UEFA and intercontinental playoff winners to be decided in March 2026.
Who has already qualified for 2026
As of October 2025 (31/10/25), the majority of qualifying matches are complete, and several nations have booked their places in the tournament.
| Confederation | Qualified Teams (as of Oct 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AFC (Asia) | Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan | Jordan and Uzbekistan debut |
| CAF (Africa) | Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia | Cape Verde debut |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Ecuador | Six confirmed teams |
| OFC (Oceania) | New Zealand | First direct slot for Oceania |
| CONCACAF (North America) | USA*, Mexico*, Canada* + 3 TBD | Hosts auto-qualified |
| UEFA (Europe) | England + 15 TBD | To be confirmed in November 2025 |
The final six spots will be decided in March 2026, completing the full lineup of 48 nations. This expanded structure ensures more regional diversity and gives emerging football countries a chance to shine.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw FAQs: All You Need to Know
Why was Washington D.C. chosen for the draw?
FIFA selected the U.S. capital for its global profile and symbolism. The Kennedy Center reflects culture, diplomacy, and unity among the three host nations.
Will Donald Trump attend the World Cup 2026 Final Draw?
FIFA has not announced any political guest list. The event focuses on football officials, team delegates and invited legends rather than politicians.
How many teams will qualify from each continent?
The allocation is as follows: AFC 8, CAF 9, CONCACAF 6, CONMEBOL 6, OFC 1, and UEFA 16. Two more teams qualify through playoffs.
Will all 48 teams be known before the draw
No. Only 42 will be confirmed. The final six playoff winners will join in March 2026.
When are the Intercontinental Playoffs 2026?
They will take place in March 2026 in North America to determine the last two teams for the World Cup.
When will the group stage schedule be released?
FIFA will release the full match schedule within a week after the draw, including host city details and kickoff times.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw begins the final countdown to football’s biggest stage. Fans around the world will finally see their country’s path toward the dream of lifting the trophy.
From Washington D.C., the excitement will spread across three nations and sixteen host cities as the journey to the 2026 World Cup begins.
