The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw happens this Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The event starts at 12 p.m. ET on December 5th and promises to be quite a show.
Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum will host the ceremony together. Klum previously hosted the 2006 World Cup draw in Germany. She said being part of this event again feels special because it involves three host countries and 48 teams instead of the usual 32.
Danny Ramirez will join the hosting team. The Captain America actor will interview soccer officials and other important guests during the broadcast. Ramirez has personal connections to two of the host nations. He was born in the United States and has family roots in Mexico.
The draw will feature several major musical performances. Andrea Bocelli brings his legendary voice to the stage. Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams will also perform for the crowd at the Kennedy Center.
The Village People will close out the entire ceremony with their hit song Y.M.C.A. This song has become closely associated with President Donald Trump. He plays it at most of his political events and rallies. The group even performed live with Trump on stage just one day before his second inauguration in January 2025.
President Trump is expected to attend the draw on Friday. FIFA will present him with a newly created Peace Prize during the ceremony. FIFA president Gianni Infantino will hand the award to Trump. This comes after Trump did not win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest tournament in history. The United States will host most of the matches. Canada and Mexico will also serve as co-hosts. This marks the first time three countries have shared hosting duties for a World Cup.
The draw will determine which teams play in each group during the tournament. All 48 qualified nations will learn their opponents on Friday. Fans around the world will watch to see if their country gets an easy or difficult path to the knockout rounds.
The Kennedy Center provides a grand setting for this historic draw. The venue seats thousands of people and has hosted many important cultural events over the years. FIFA chose Washington D.C. because it sits in the heart of one of the host countries.
You can watch the entire draw ceremony live on Friday afternoon. The broadcast begins at noon Eastern Time. Soccer fans should tune in to see the entertainment and learn which teams will face each other next summer.
This World Cup draw combines sports with high-profile entertainment. The mix of celebrity hosts and musical legends makes it more than just a sporting event. FIFA clearly wants to generate excitement for the tournament that kicks off in just over a year.
Also check: FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony