In a return to the glitz and glamour of American showbiz, Las Vegas is set to host the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5, according to reports from US broadcaster ESPN.
While FIFA has yet to formally confirm the date or the venue, the draw is widely expected to take place in the entertainment capital of the world, beating out cities in co-host nations Canada and Mexico for the honour.
This draw will be historic as it introduces fans to the largest World Cup format in history. The 2026 edition marks the debut of a 48-team tournament, expanding from the traditional 32-nation model and is spread across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
The tournament will be split across 16 cities, with 11 venues in the US, three in Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara), and two in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver). FIFA has already assigned Mexico to Group A, Canada to Group B, and the United States to Group D to ensure the three host nations know their starting points before the rest of the field is revealed.
The December ceremony will unveil 12 groups, each featuring four teams, with the top two in each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a newly introduced Round of 32.
So far, only 13 nations have sealed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of the draw, which includes the hosts Mexico, Canada, and USA; defending champions Argentina; continental powerhouses Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand; and debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan.
With 42 of the 48 spots expected to be confirmed by December, the remaining six will be decided via intercontinental playoffs in early 2026. For now, placeholders will be slotted into the draw to account for those final qualifiers.
The 2026 World Cup draw is more than just the start of another global tournament. It’s the first step into an era of expanded inclusion, heightened commercial promise, and football’s deeper integration into the global sports fabric.
Las Vegas, a city built on spectacle, seems fitting for such a moment.