Overview
- The group-stage draw takes place December 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with live coverage on ZDF, MagentaTV and FIFA.com streams.
- FIFA’s expanded format features 48 teams in 12 groups of four with a new Round of 32, producing 104 matches from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
- Hosts are pre-assigned to groups—Mexico in A, Canada in B and the United States in D—while confederation limits and four seeding pots govern the draw.
- Forty-two teams are confirmed and six placeholders will be drawn for March 2026 playoff winners; top-ranked teams are kept on separate paths under FIFA’s seeding rules.
- FIFA will publish the detailed match schedule the day after the draw, ticket sales shift to specific matches beginning December 5 with dynamic pricing starting at $60 for group games, and the ceremony is slated to include President Donald Trump and a Village People performance.