Everything You Need To Know About The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Draw

FIFA has formally announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw will be held at the esteemed Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025.

Prior to the world’s most watched athletic event, which the United States, Mexico, and Canada will jointly host, the ceremony will mark a significant milestone.

One of the most anticipated football events in the run-up to the tournament will take place at the Kennedy Center, which is largely recognized as a cultural icon for the arts in the U.S. capital. Given that Washington will not host any World Cup matches, the venue selection has garnered attention.

Earlier this month, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump announced the venue, highlighting the tournament’s increasing political and cultural importance in the United States.

42 of the 48 teams competing will have guaranteed their spots by the time of the draw thanks to qualification processes conducted on six continents. Intercontinental playoffs will determine the final six spots in March 2026.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are assured automatic qualification as part of the agreement for host countries. Additionally, FIFA has stated that each host country would be placed in pre-established groups:

Group A: Mexico

Group B: Canada

Group D: United States

This guarantees that from the beginning of the competition, supporters in all three nations will be able to see their national teams play on home turf.

The 2026 edition will commemorate
the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32. Matches will be spread across 16 host cities in the three countries, with the tournament scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The format introduces 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two sides from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32. This expansion is expected to bring greater opportunities for emerging football nations, while also increasing global engagement.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Visa Presale Draw Launches First Ticket Sale Phase

Hosting duties are projected to deliver enormous financial benefits. Mexico alone estimates a boost of over US $3 billion to its economy from hosting matches. The U.S. and Canada are expected to see similarly large impacts, with tourism, infrastructure, and broadcasting rights contributing to record revenues.

Beyond economics, FIFA has promised a tournament that will set new standards for inclusivity and global entertainment. For the first time in history, the World Cup final will include a halftime show, with Coldplay already linked to the production alongside the non-profit Global Citizen.

The final match is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets.

As qualification heats up across the globe, all eyes now turn to Washington, where the December draw will officially set the stage for football’s biggest spectacle.