FIFA World Cup 2026: Final Draw To Reveal Groups Tonight in Washington Event
FIFA World Cup 2026 final draw to decide 48-team group stage on December 5 in Washington, DC.
The stage is set for one of football’s most anticipated events as the final draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place on Friday in Washington, DC, the capital city of co-hosts USA. The draw will determine the composition of 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11 next year. For Indian viewers, the event will be broadcast live at 10:30 PM, marking a major milestone ahead of the tournament.
Once the groupings are unveiled, FIFA will release the official match schedule, including venues and kick-off timings, at a separate event in Washington on December 6. This draw gains added significance as it introduces the new 12-group format, replacing the traditional 32-team structure that has defined the World Cup since 1998. Each group—from A to L—will feature four teams, with the world’s biggest football nations awaiting their opponents.
The event will be hosted by former England captain Rio Ferdinand, who brings considerable star power with his illustrious Manchester United career that includes six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy. He will be joined by presenter Sam Johnson, while an impressive lineup of global sporting legends will appear on the red carpet to set the stage for the ceremony. These include NFL icon Tom Brady, hockey great Wayne Gretzky, MLB star Aaron Judge, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, and Super Bowl legend Eli Manning.
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Pot 1 is headlined by defending champions Argentina, along with European heavyweights Spain, France, and England. Traditional powerhouses Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany also feature in the top-seeded pot, alongside the three hosts—USA, Canada, and Mexico—who have already been assigned Groups D, B, and A respectively. None of these top-tier teams can face each other until the later knockout stages, adding further intrigue to the draw.
The remaining teams have been assigned based on FIFA rankings and qualification pathways. Pot 2 includes strong contenders such as Croatia, Morocco, Uruguay, Japan, and Switzerland, while Pot 3 houses competitive sides such as Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, and debutants Uzbekistan. Pot 4 features several rising teams, including Jordan and Cape Verde, along with the six yet-to-be-decided playoff qualifiers, which could even include four-time world champions Italy if they advance through the playoffs.
With global anticipation reaching fever pitch and the biggest World Cup in history just months away, tonight’s draw promises gripping matchups, high drama, and fresh rivalries. Fans worldwide will be watching closely as football’s elite learn their path to potential glory in the grandest edition the sport has ever seen.
Also Read: FIFA To Hold World Cup 2026 Playoff Draws in Zurich on November 20
