Roar Of The FIFA Men’s World Cup Draw: Celebs, Sports Icons, Watch Parties

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED December 6, 2025: One day after the Final Draw for the Men’s World Cup 2026 — being hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico June 11-July 19, 2026— FIFA unveiled the match schedule, venues, and kick-off times for all 104 games. (See full schedule here.)

Mexico will begin the first 48-team tournament June 11 (1 PM local time) against South Africa in Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium.

On June 12, Canada will  host the winner of the European play-off among Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina in BMO Field Toronto (3 PM local time).

Later that day, USA begins its campaign in Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium against Paraguay (6 PM local time).

kickoff time for the final int MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ July 19 is 3 PM ET, which FIFA said would be prime-time viewing in the U.K. (8 PM goal time) and continental Europe (9 PM local time).

FIFA said the World Cup match schedule has been designed to "minimize travel for teams and fans, and to maximize rest days between matches for all participating teams. The now-finalized allocation of venues and kick-off times aims to optimize welfare conditions for players and supporters, while enabling the widest possible global audience to follow their teams across different time zones.”


December 3, 2025: The FIFA World Cup often comes down to star power. In this case, the stars are not just on the pitch but also on stage.

Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Andrea Bocelli are among the world-renowned entertainers named by FIFA for the show to be held for the Final Draw for the Men’s World Cup 2026, scheduled for Dec. 5 in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington DC.

It will be carried live by Fox and Telemundo (Noon ET).

Klum and Hart will co-host the event. Actor and producer Danny Ramirez will  “engage football greats in attendance.”


Live performances are scheduled from Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinge.

Following the Draw, the Village People are scheduled to perform their iconic “Y.M.C.A.”

FIFA has also unveiled the sports legends and world-class conductors who will lead people through the event. FIFA Legend and former England captain Rio Ferdinand, one of the most celebrated defenders of his generation, will conduct the draw, assisted by award-winning international broadcaster Samantha Johnson. 

Joining them on stage will be a roster of cross-sport icons from American football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey.

They include seven-time NFL Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, NHL Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion Wayne Gretzky, seven-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and four-time NBA championship winner and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal will serve as draw assistants

Two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning will be the event’s Red Carpet host.

Klum is returning to the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup stage — being hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico June 11-July 19, 2026 — having previously taken part in the event prior to the 2006 tournament in Germany.

“To be hosting the final draw again, after having been involved in this show 20 years ago in my home country, is truly extraordinary,” said Klum via FIFA.

“The World Cup brings the world together like nothing else, and being part of that magic again, on an even bigger stage involving three host countries and 48 teams, is an incredible honor.”

The Draw will assign 48 teams into 12 groups of four to determine each nation’s FIFA World Cup path. Following Friday’s draw, FIFA will unveil an updated match schedule to assign a date, time and location to each match on Dec. 6.

Six of the expanded 48 spots at FIFA World Cup 2026 remain open, with four coming from the 16-team UEFA play-offs and the final two coming from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament. The final six participants will be decided in March 2026.

“We are excited to host the most anticipated Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup in history in the cultural and entertainment heart of the United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said via the organization. 

“The Draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever, as we get set for many landmark FIFA events across North  America throughout 2026. 

“We look forward to welcoming the team delegations, our partners, global media, and, uniquely, fans representing each of the 16  wonderful Host Cities, to the capital of the United States for this significant occasion.”


Fox Sports, America’s exclusive English-language home for the FIFA Men’s World Cup 26, will air all 104 matches live, including 69 on Fox and 35 on FS1, with every match live-streaming on Fox One and the FoxSports App.

Fox said its complete broadcast schedule would be revealed following the FIFA World Cup 26 Final Draw.

The stars are also aligning in media coverage.

Fox said today that veteran host and presenter Rebecca Lowe would join the network’s broadcast team as one of its hosts covering the event next year. 

“Fox Sports is thrilled to welcome Rebecca to our team for FIFA World Cup 2026,” Brad Zager, Fox Sports president of production and operations/executive producer, said via the network.

“Rebecca is a world-class presenter and one of the most respected and revered voices in the global soccer landscape. We look forward to having her help lead the conversation among our roster of esteemed broadcasters and are grateful to NBC Sports for granting Rebecca the opportunity to cover the tournament with FoxX.”

Lowe, currently serving as host of NBC Sports’ Premier League, has covered six consecutive Olympic Games and the Kentucky Derby since joining the network in 2013.

NBCUniversal’s Telemundo, the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language home of the FIFA World Cup 2026, said it would have comprehensive, all-day coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw live from Washington, D.C.

In addition to the live presentation of the Final Draw (until 2 PM ET) on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock, the network will present multi-platform coverage across its sports, news and entertainment programs.

All shows and talent will also broadcast live from the nation’s capital, complemented by in-studio programming throughout the day.

"The Draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever."

The team of commentators and hosts includes Andrés Cantor, Luis Omar Tapia, Miguel Gurwitz, Carlota Vizmanos, Copan Alvarez, Adriana Monsalve, Diego Balado and José Luis Lopez Salido.

They are scheduled to be joined by former Argentine international footballer Maxi Rodríguez, and former Uruguayan international player Diego Lugano, among other special guests, offering in-depth analysis, expert commentary, and exclusive interviews. 
 
“As we prepare to welcome the FIFA World Cup 2026 to North America, Telemundo is proud to bring fans the excitement of the Final Draw live from the heart of Washington, D.C.,” Joaquin Duro, evp-sports and head of streaming, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, said via the company.

“This comprehensive coverage reflects our commitment to serving our audiences because for Hispanics across the U.S., the Draw represents not only the beginning of the competition, but also a celebration of cultural pride, unity, and anticipation leading up to 2026.” 

To extend the excitement beyond broadcast, Telemundo Deportes will host an exclusive Watch Party livestream across social media, offering people an alternative “alt-cast” experience of the Final Draw. 

Following the Draw, the post-draw show and Telemundo Deportes Ahora post-draw recap show (5 PM ET) will feature expert reactions and analysis of the group matchups. El Pelotazo will close out the day’s coverage, live from D.C., hosted by Verónica Rodríguez, Pablo Mariño, and Diego Arrioja, with FIFA legends Maxi Rodríguez and Diego Lugano. 

Host cities are supporting with World Cup Draw events.

U.S. Soccer will host The Road to ‘26 Draw Show, presented by Visa, in New York’s Times Square. The watch party will feature the final draw on the big screen, a 5v5 mini-pitch tournament with the chance to compete for prizes, and live commentary from special guests.

Also in New York, a Watch Party presented by FIFA partner adidas is scheduled for the brand’s lower Manhattan location (323 Canal Street).

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee is inviting fans to a free public viewing party outside Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead.

A live viewing party at Thrive City at Chase Center in San Francisco will be hosted by the Bay Area Host Committee.

In Philadelphia, a Draw watch party is scheduled for Stateside Live in South Philadelphia and another at Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood.

The North Texas FIFA World Cup 26 Organizing Committee, in partnership with Visit Fort Worth, will host the Official FIFA World Cup 26 Draw Party Experience at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. 

Seattle is hosting a viewing event in the Museum of Pop Culture’s Sky Church.

The Kansas City host committee said it would “transform the Power & Light District into a high-energy fan hub for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

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