2026 FIFA World Cup Draw Unfolds Today: Groups, Schedule, and How to Watch Live

The groups for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history will be decided today. The official draw for the 2026 tournament is being held at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The ceremony starts at noon Eastern Time on Friday, December 5, 2025.This event sets the stage for the first-ever 48-team World Cup. The draw will determine the initial matchups for the historic event co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Where to Stream the World Cup Draw Ceremony

Fans have several options to watch the draw live. Major U.S. broadcaster FOX will air the ceremony starting with a pre-show at 11:30 a.m. ET. The main draw begins at noon ET on the FOX network.For streaming, viewers can use the FOX Sports app or website. Coverage is also available on Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV. According to Reuters, the draw will be streamed globally on FIFA’s official platforms, including its YouTube channel.Spanish-language coverage airs on Telemundo and streams on Peacock. The event is expected to last about two hours, revealing the full group-stage landscape.

New Format Creates 12 Groups of Four Teams

The 2026 World Cup features a revolutionary structure. Instead of eight groups, there will be twelve groups of four teams each. This accommodates the expanded field of 48 national teams.For the draw, teams are placed into four pots based on FIFA’s world rankings. Host nations receive automatic top seeding. The United States men’s national team is pre-assigned to position C1 as a host.Canada will occupy position B1 and Mexico will be in A1. One team from each pot will be drawn into every group, from Group A through Group L. This ensures a balanced competitive field.The new format guarantees more matches and opportunities. A total of 104 games will be played across the three host nations. The top two finishers from each group, plus eight best third-place teams, will advance to a new knockout round of 32.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw sets in motion a completely new tournament blueprint. Today’s ceremony is the first major step toward next summer’s global spectacle. Every soccer fan will be watching to see their team’s path to glory.

Thought you’d like to know

What time is the World Cup draw today?

The main draw ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Pre-show coverage starts at 11:30 a.m. ET on FOX. The entire event is scheduled to run until approximately 2:00 p.m. ET.

Which teams are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

As of the draw, 22 teams have officially qualified. This includes host nations the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Top-ranked teams like Argentina, France, and England have also secured their spots, according to The Associated Press.

How does the new 48-team format work?

The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four. After group play, 32 teams advance to the knockout stage. This includes the top two from each group and eight additional third-place teams.

Where will the 2026 World Cup matches be played?

Matches will be held in 16 cities across the three host countries. Eleven venues are in the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico. The final is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Why is the World Cup expanding to 48 teams?

FIFA approved the expansion to include more nations from around the world. The goal is to grow the global game and increase participation. It marks the biggest format change in the tournament’s modern history.