US EditionBBC World Service - Newshour, The 2026 World Cup Draw Takes Place in Washington DC
The draw assigned teams into 12 groups, with host cities anticipating economic boosts up to $3.3 billion, as the expanded 48-team tournament prepares for June 2026 kickoff.
- On Friday at 12 p.m. EST, FIFA held the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., seeding 48 national teams into 12 groups of four to determine group-stage matchups.
- Fans learned which of the 16 North American host cities—11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada—will host group games, with six playoff spots to be decided next spring.
- At the ceremony, sports legends Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal and Wayne Gretzky attended while FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
- U.S. host cities expect visitor spending from $400 million to $3.3 billion, and the U.S. State Department exempted verified FIFA ticket holders from the visa freeze with an expedited priority visa vetting process.
- The tournament kicks off next year, with group games scheduled across Boston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, and Atlanta, leading to the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
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As part of the World Cup draw in Washington D.C., US President Trump received the first Fifa Peace Prize. "Fifa has done everything to roll out the red carpet for Trump," says US journalist Erik Kirschbaum.
BBC World Service - Newshour, The 2026 World Cup draw takes place in Washington DC
Groups for the next men's world cup are revealed at a glitzy gala - and President Trump gets the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. We hear about the teams and matches, and speak to Politico reporter Sophia Cai about the warm relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Also in the programme: Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros in major media deal; and the acclaimed architect Frank Gehry has died at the age of 96. (Photo: FIFA World C…
REPLAY - Decoding the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw: expert analysis
In this special 2-hour edition, we dissect the results of the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup Draw. Sports consultants Karim Baldé and Thando Sibiya offer in-depth commentary and strategic insights on each group as they unfold. From potential powerhouses to dark horses, we explore what these matchups mean for the tournament ahead.
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