- Groups for the biggest single-sport event in history — next year’s 48-team FIFA World Cup™ in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — will be drawn on Friday, Dec. 5.
- While the live event is happening in Washington, D.C. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, you can catch a Watch Party right here in Lyndhurst, New Jersey at the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce Headquarters, 1099 Wall St. West.
- The MC’s Holiday Networking Party will follow the Watch Party. Cost is $25, with net proceeds benefiting local food pantries; tickets are limited. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
The final draw for FIFA World Cup 26™ takes place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Friday, Dec. 5 at Noon EST. Find out which teams will play at MetLife Stadium at a Watch Party at the Meadowlands Chamber Headquarters in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
“We are excited to host the most anticipated Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup in history in the cultural and entertainment heart of the United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever, as we get set for many landmark FIFA events across North America throughout 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
“We look forward to welcoming the team delegations, our partners, global media, and, uniquely, fans representing each of the 16 wonderful Host Cities, to the capital of the United States for this significant occasion,” he added.
The Meadowlands Chamber Watch Party
The Kennedy Center
In December, the FIFA World Cup Trophy will be at the Kennedy Center as the world’s best national teams discover their next steps on the path to lifting the coveted crown at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
The Kennedy Center is America’s national cultural centre and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, attracting millions of visitors each year to more than 2,000 performances, events and exhibits.
Further Draw Details
Further details of the draw, including broadcast information and the full draw procedures, will be published “in due course” on FIFA.com, per a press release.
The draw will be beamed to the three host countries and around the globe by FIFA’s Media Partners. The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada) and D1 (USA), as per the match schedule released last year.
More On Tap
As well as the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26 being staged in the US capital in December, the FIFA play-off tournament — a new event that will see six nations from five of the six confederations (with UEFA to hold a separate play-off competition for the final four European spots) compete for two places at the global extravaganza — will be hosted in North America in March next year.
On April 30, the 76th FIFA Congress will take place in Vancouver, Canada, as the countdown to the eagerly anticipated kick-off at the Estadio Azteca Mexico City on June 11 continues.
The Competition
In addition to the three host countries, 10 nations have already qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup: defending champions Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan — who are set to make their tournament debut — Korea Republic, New Zealand and first-timers Uzbekistan.
In total, 42 of the 48 teams that will compete in Canada, Mexico and the United States will be known by the time the draw is made, with the final six coveted berths to be determined via play-off matches in March next year.