World Awaits Largest World Cup Draw in History Tonight in Washington

Tonight, Friday, the eyes of global football fans will turn to Washington D.C., USA, which is set to host the draw ceremony for the largest FIFA World Cup finals in history. This unprecedented event for the 2026 tournament is significant both in terms of the number of participating teams and the scale of public and media attention.

The draw will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, amid widespread anticipation for the formation of the new groups. This edition marks the first time 48 teams will participate, an increase from the previous 32.

This edition holds exceptional significance following FIFA's decision to increase the number of participating teams. This expansion is expected to intensify competition and offer greater opportunities for new national teams to feature on the global stage.

The upcoming tournament is also unique as it will be co-hosted by three nations for the first time: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This multi-nation hosting makes the draw a crucial milestone in shaping the path towards the coveted world title.

The participating teams will be divided into 12 groups, each comprising four teams, based on the latest FIFA rankings. The draw adheres to precise rules designed to ensure balanced competition, prohibiting more than one team from the same continent in a single group, with the exception of Europe, where groups may include up to two European teams.

Fans and national teams alike eagerly await the outcome of the draw, especially given the potential for "groups of death" that could bring together diverse footballing styles. This anticipation further heightens excitement ahead of the official start of the competitions.