With the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup building rapidly, global attention is turning to the World Cup draw live event — the official moment when teams learn their group-stage opponents. Set to take place in December 2025, this draw will mark the official countdown to the first-ever 48-team World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For fans, the live draw is much more than a formality. It’s the beginning of storylines, rivalries, and dreams. As teams discover who they’ll face, the shape of the tournament begins to take form — and anticipation around the world reaches fever pitch.
When and Where to Watch the World Cup Draw Live
The World Cup draw live ceremony will be held in December 2025, roughly six months before the opening match of the 2026 tournament. FIFA will soon confirm the exact date and venue, but the event will be staged in one of the major host cities in the United States. Cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City are currently seen as leading contenders to host the draw.
The broadcast time is expected to be 12:00 p.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Pacific) — a schedule chosen to ensure fans around the world can watch in real time.
For U.S. audiences, here’s how to watch the World Cup draw live:
- Fox Sports: The official English-language broadcaster in the U.S. Coverage will be available on Fox, FS1, and the Fox Sports App.
- Telemundo and Peacock: Full Spanish-language coverage, including expert analysis and commentary.
- FIFA+: The official streaming platform of FIFA will broadcast the draw globally, free for viewers everywhere.
- YouTube and Social Media: FIFA’s official channels on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) will provide live highlights, interviews, and reactions.
This will be one of the most-watched live sports broadcasts of the year, with millions tuning in from every continent.
What the World Cup Draw Live Will Decide
The World Cup draw live event will decide how all 48 qualified teams are grouped in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shaping the tournament’s structure from the very beginning.
For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament will feature:
- 48 teams (up from 32 in 2022)
- 12 groups of four teams each
- The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, advancing to the Round of 32
This new format ensures more matches, more opportunities, and wider global representation. The draw will determine not only each group’s lineup but also which cities will host specific teams during the group stage.
Here’s how the draw process will work:
- Teams will be placed in four pots, based on FIFA’s current world rankings.
- Each group will feature one team from each pot.
- The three host nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — will automatically occupy spots in Pot 1 as seeded teams.
- Teams from the same continent cannot be drawn into the same group, except for multiple UEFA nations, which can appear together.
During the live broadcast, FIFA officials and guest football legends will take turns drawing the team names and assigning them to their respective groups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup: An Event Like No Other
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the most ambitious tournament in history. With 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations, it will redefine the scale of global football.
Key facts:
- Opening Match: June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
- Final Match: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Total Host Cities: 16
- Host Nations: United States, Mexico, Canada
The U.S. will host the majority of the matches — 60 in total — including every game from the quarterfinals onward. Mexico and Canada will each host 10 matches during the group and early knockout rounds.
This tournament will also mark the first time three countries share hosting duties for the World Cup, highlighting North America’s growing influence in global soccer.
Official 2026 World Cup Host Cities
The 16 confirmed host cities are spread across three countries, each offering unique cultural experiences and world-class stadiums.
United States:
- Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Boston (Gillette Stadium)
- Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
- Houston (NRG Stadium)
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
- Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
- Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
- San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
- Seattle (Lumen Field)
Mexico:
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
Canada:
- Toronto (BMO Field)
- Vancouver (BC Place)
Each stadium is being upgraded to meet FIFA’s international standards, with improvements in technology, sustainability, and fan amenities.
The United States: Ready to Host History
For the United States, hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents both a sporting and cultural milestone. The tournament will mark the first time since 1994 that the U.S. has hosted soccer’s biggest event — and this time, the nation is more passionate about the sport than ever.
Since 1994, soccer has exploded in popularity across the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) has expanded to 30 teams, youth participation continues to grow, and international matches now regularly sell out stadiums.
The World Cup will bring millions of visitors, create thousands of jobs, and generate billions in tourism revenue. For fans, it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to experience the world’s best teams right at home.
What the Draw Means for the U.S. Men’s National Team
The World Cup draw live will be especially meaningful for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT). As co-hosts, the U.S. automatically qualifies and will play its group-stage matches on home soil — a major advantage.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter will lead a talented generation of players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, and Yunus Musah.
The draw will reveal which teams the U.S. will face in the group stage and where those matches will take place. Potential matchups against global powers like Brazil, France, or England could make for unforgettable nights of soccer drama.
The U.S. is entering the 2026 tournament with high expectations after a strong showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the team reached the Round of 16. With home support behind them, the goal will be to go even further.
Why the World Cup Draw Live Matters
The World Cup draw live marks the moment when excitement transforms into reality. It’s when fans learn whether their national teams face an easy path or a “group of death.” Coaches start planning strategies, and analysts immediately begin predicting who will advance.
The draw also impacts ticket sales and travel planning. Once matchups and venues are confirmed, fans from around the world will rush to secure tickets, hotels, and flights. FIFA’s official ticketing portal will open shortly after the draw, with record demand expected.
For the 2026 World Cup, ticket interest is already higher than ever — particularly in U.S. host cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, where games are expected to sell out instantly.
A Historic Tournament for Global Fans
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a celebration of diversity, unity, and the growing power of soccer in North America. With 48 participating nations, the tournament will feature several countries making their debut on the world stage.
Fans from Africa, Asia, and the Americas will come together to celebrate the universal passion for the sport. Cities across the United States are preparing fan zones, viewing parties, and cultural events to make the World Cup more than just a tournament — it’s a global festival.
FIFA expects this to be the most attended and most-watched World Cup in history, with a projected global audience of over 5 billion people.
What Happens After the Draw
Once the draw concludes, FIFA will release the full tournament schedule, including kickoff times, stadium assignments, and travel details for each team. National federations will begin finalizing their training camps, friendly matches, and logistical plans.
Fans will immediately start marking their calendars for must-see matchups, such as potential heavyweight clashes in the group stage. The weeks following the draw are expected to be filled with analysis, predictions, and fan excitement across social media.
Final Thoughts
The World Cup draw live will be one of the most important sports events of 2025 — the day when the world finds out what the 2026 FIFA World Cup will look like. For fans in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, it’s the moment the countdown officially begins.
With record-breaking participation, cutting-edge stadiums, and unmatched fan enthusiasm, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a defining moment in soccer history.
Who do you hope the U.S. Men’s National Team will face in the group stage? Share your predictions and get ready for an unforgettable World Cup experience.