Star-Studded Lineup: Sports Icons to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw in Washington, D.C.
Sports icons from various disciplines, such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Aaron Judge, will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw in Washington, D.C. The event, set to take place at the Kennedy Centre, will unveil the group-stage matchups for the expanded 48-team tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Matches will be held at 16 venues across the three countries, with the draw determining the teams' placement into 12 groups of four, leading to the knockout stage.
Rio Ferdinand, a renowned English Premier League Hall of Fame member, will lead the draw alongside broadcaster Samantha Johnson. The draw will see the participation of four sports legends, each assigned to a pot and responsible for selecting teams to be placed in groups A to L. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place teams will progress to the knockout stage, with 42 teams already qualified and 22 others vying for the final six spots through playoffs.
Wayne Gretzky, a legendary NHL player, expressed his excitement about the upcoming FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the unifying power of soccer and the positive impact it can have globally. Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and part owner of Birmingham City, shared his enthusiasm for being part of the draw, highlighting the honor of contributing to a tournament that brings people together on a global scale. Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, will serve as the red carpet host for the event, adding to the star-studded lineup of participants.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw promises to be a memorable event, with sports icons and entertainers coming together to set the stage for the historic tournament. As the world eagerly awaits the unveiling of the group-stage matchups, the draw will mark a significant milestone in the lead-up to the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup, uniting fans and athletes from around the world in celebration of the beautiful game.