The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5, revealing the matchups, schedule and bracket for next summer’s tournament in North America.
This World Cup has an expanded field of 48 teams (up from 32) in 2026 with 12 groups of four and each team playing three matches. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight top third-place finishers.
The draw itself is a jewel event for FIFA with dignitaries and soccer legends always on hand for the ceremony. U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration are expected to be in attendance at the Kennedy Center.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 with Mexico hosting the opener at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is World Cup draw 2026?
The draw for next summer’s World Cup will be held on Dec. 5, 2025.
Where is the World Cup draw 2026?
The 2026 World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
2026 World Cup qualified teams
Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
Concacaf: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay