WASHINGTON: The highly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest in football history with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will take place this Friday in Washington.
US President Donald Trump’s attendance has been officially confirmed by the White House, highlighting his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The event, scheduled at the Kennedy Center, is expected to see Trump play a prominent role, underscoring his continued engagement with international sports and diplomacy. Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times and collaborated with Trump on various occasions since the North American bid was awarded in 2018, is expected to honor Trump with a new FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony.
This year’s World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, will feature an expanded 48-team format, up from the previous 32-team tournament. The competition will open at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium and conclude at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Despite the celebratory nature of the event, tensions remain. Iran announced it will boycott the draw in protest of visa restrictions imposed by US authorities for its delegation. Meanwhile, Trump’s political stance has stirred controversy, with threats to relocate matches from Democratic-led cities under the pretext of safety concerns.
The tournament will see debut appearances from teams like Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curacao. Meanwhile, top contenders include traditional powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his desire to cap his career with Portugal’s first World Cup victory.
Ticket prices are already soaring, with supporters warning of exorbitant costs for the most coveted matches, especially given FIFA’s decision to implement dynamic pricing. The final match on July 19 in New Jersey is already listed at a starting price of $7,000 on secondary markets.
As the world looks forward to this historic event, the draw will set the stage for the tournament’s many storylines, rivalries, and first-time qualifiers. Fans and critics alike await further details on match venues and schedules, which will be finalized after the draw.
