United States President Donald Trump is set to attend the official draw ceremony for the FIFA 2026 World Cup on Friday, an event that will shape the early path for the teams competing in what is expected to be the largest and most globally watched edition of the tournament to date. The White House confirmed the President’s appearance, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announcing during a briefing that Trump will join international football officials, coaches, and representatives in Washington, D.C., for the highly anticipated event.
The draw will be hosted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a prestigious venue that has been transformed into a global football hub ahead of the ceremony. With the United States serving as a co-host alongside Canada and Mexico, the event marks a major milestone in preparations for the 2026 tournament, which will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches across the three North American nations.
FIFA confirmed that the Final Draw will determine the composition of 12 groups, each containing four teams. Coaches, team officials, and football leaders from around the world are set to gather as they await their nations’ group-stage opponents. The event will also be attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, joined by an ensemble of FIFA Legends and representatives from all qualified nations, as well as those still fighting for the remaining slots.
Tournament Structure and Pot Allocation
In line with the draw procedures introduced for the expanded competition, the three host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—will automatically occupy places in Pot 1, ensuring they avoid each other in the group stage. Their pot placement also guarantees that each host nation will headline a group and play their opening match on home soil, continuing a long-standing FIFA tradition aimed at maximizing local fan engagement.
The remaining 39 qualified teams will be allocated across four additional pots. These placements will be determined by the FIFA Men’s World Ranking published on November 19, providing the basis for a transparent and competitive draw process. With the tournament now expanded, the distribution of teams across the pots carries even greater significance, as national squads prepare for an unprecedented format featuring more teams, more stadiums, and more travel between venues.
Pot 4 will include not only the lowest-seeded teams but also placeholders for nations still competing in the qualification pathways. These include two teams that will emerge from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament and an additional four teams that will be decided through UEFA’s European play-offs. Their final placement will be confirmed once the qualification cycle is completed.
Updated Match Schedule to Follow the Draw
FIFA announced that a fully updated match schedule for the FIFA 2026 World Cup will be released within 24 hours of the draw. This schedule will outline the dates, venues, and host cities for all 104 matches, giving fans around the world their first look at the tournament’s full structure.
Twelve groups will be formed during the draw, and following this, FIFA will confirm kick-off times and stadium assignments for every match. The 2026 World Cup will utilize a record number of stadiums across North America, including iconic venues in cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, and Monterrey.
The ceremony is not only a major step for FIFA but also a moment of historical significance for North American football. With the World Cup returning to the United States for the first time since 1994, anticipation is high among fans and host cities preparing to welcome millions of visitors in 2026.
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Final Schedule Expected in March
While Friday’s event will offer the core structure of the tournament, FIFA will publish the complete and final version of the match calendar in March. This delay allows for the conclusion of the remaining qualification matches, including the European and intercontinental play-offs that will determine the final six teams advancing to the World Cup.
Once the last qualification places are secured, FIFA will integrate those results into the official schedule. The final document will then be released with all match pairings, stadium assignments, travel routes, and confirmed kick-off timings. This step is essential for teams preparing their logistics as well as fans planning travel across the vast three-nation tournament.
A Historic Moment for North American Football
The FIFA 2026 World Cup has already drawn global attention, not only for its record-breaking scale but also for the cooperative hosting agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It will be the first World Cup in history to be hosted by three nations simultaneously, highlighting the region’s growing influence in global football.
President Trump’s participation in the draw underscores the significance of the event for the United States. As the host of the majority of matches, the U.S. is preparing for a surge in tourism, economic activity, and global spotlight during the tournament. The draw ceremony acts as both a symbolic and practical starting point for the final phase of planning.
With the world’s football community watching closely, Friday’s draw promises to deliver high anticipation, dramatic moments, and the first outlines of what could become one of the most memorable tournaments in World Cup history.
