By Michelle Ndaga
The final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been officially scheduled for December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The announcement was made on Friday by U.S. President Donald Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with the event set to begin at 12:00 PM ET and broadcast live to a global audience.
Speaking during an Oval Office ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance, Trump described the draw as “possibly the biggest event in sports.” He was presented with the World Cup trophy and suggested he might personally take part in drawing the team names.
Infantino welcomed the enthusiasm but noted that a final decision on Trump’s role has not yet been confirmed.
Although Washington is not among the 16 host cities for the 2026 tournament, it secured the prestigious draw event as the Kennedy Center undergoes a $257 million renovation ahead of the U.S. bicentennial celebrations.
The venue has also been designated as FIFA’s primary World Cup office in the United States, reinforcing its symbolic importance.
The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. By the time of the draw, 42 teams will have secured qualification, with the final six places determined through playoff matches scheduled for March 2026.
The draw will not only determine the group-stage lineups but also mark a major milestone in the buildup to the first World Cup hosted across three nations.
Officials say the event will showcase Washington’s role in the tournament despite not hosting matches and highlight the global scale of football’s biggest competitio
