The world’s global party kicks off this Friday.
Well, maybe not kick. It’s kind of a sorting hat type of situation. Let me explain.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is slated for 104 matches held in 16 stadiums across the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Nations will be sorted into groups of four during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. A slew of global celebrities and former players will participate in the sorting draw that sets the first-round groups and creates the path to the World Cup Final, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Here’s how you can watch all the pomp and circumstance:
When and where is the 2026 World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place this Friday beginning at noon ET from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Along with dignitaries from the three host nations, including President Donald Trump, the event will include performances by Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams joined by Nicole Scherzinger, plus the Village People. The event will be co-hosted by Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart.
This will be the first time the World Cup includes 48 teams and is co-hosted by three nations. Only 42 of 48 teams have qualified so far, with the remaining set to be decided in playoffs held in the final week of March 2026.
Friday’s event will solely focus on which teams are in each group. There will be a separate event held Saturday, Dec. 6, which lays out the match schedule.
How to watch the 2026 World Cup draw on TV
In the United States, FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) are the official broadcasters of the tournament and will both have live television coverage of the draw.
The English-language broadcast will be helmed by Rob Stone and Jenny Taft, along with former U.S. men’s national team players Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden serving as analysts.
FOX will kick things off at 11:30 a.m. ET ahead of the scheduled two-hour draw. They will then provide extended analysis until 3 p.m. ET.
Telemundo will also begin its coverage with a 30-minute pre-draw show at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup draw or watch it on my phone?
FOX and Telemundo will both stream the event on their streaming networks — FOX One and Peacock (Telemundo). Their individual websites and social media channels will have coverage as well.
Can I listen to the 2026 World Cup draw on the radio?
For those unable to be in front of a TV, FOX will be simulcast on its SiriusXM channel 83. The satellite radio group will also have coverage pre- and post-draw on its soccer channel, SiriusXM FC (channel 157).
Wait, what about the Saturday event?
For the first time, the match venues will not be set during the World Cup draw.
FIFA will have a separate event, set for Saturday at noon ET, to reveal the full schedule, venues and kick-off times for the first-round matches.
This event will air on FIFA’s platforms, including its YouTube channel and website.
The match schedule will be announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who will be joined by former players providing analysis