The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun in Washington, with England, Scotland and the United States set to discover their group-stage opponents. The expanded 48-team tournament will take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.
The event has attracted major global attention, with former and current sports stars, celebrities and political leaders all present. US President Donald Trump is in attendance, alongside football icons Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo Nazário, Diego Forlán and NFL legend Tom Brady.
The ceremony got off to a chaotic start, with long queues—lasting up to two hours—forcing guests and media to wait in snowy conditions before entering the venue. The draw itself has been filled with theatrical performances, musical segments and guest appearances, creating a spectacle far removed from traditional FIFA draw formats.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino took centre stage early, attempting to rally different sections of fans with chants. His remarks declaring FIFA “the official happiness provider for humanity” drew mixed reactions in the hall.
As anticipation builds, football figures have started sharing their thoughts. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed he would like to see England win the tournament, praising Thomas Tuchel’s leadership and backing the Three Lions to go far. England enter the tournament ranked fourth in the world and are considered strong contenders, having reached the latter stages of recent major competitions.
Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence. The US, appearing in their 12th World Cup, are aiming to improve on past campaigns after reaching the last 16 the last time they hosted in 1994.
The draw also shed light on the logistical challenges ahead. With summer temperatures in the US expected to exceed 40°C in some regions, teams are hoping to avoid midday kick-offs, especially in open-air east-coast venues such as Miami and Philadelphia. Indoor stadiums in Atlanta, Dallas and Houston may offer more favourable conditions.
Fans traveling to the tournament can expect varying experiences: alcohol is permitted across all host nations, with Mexico offering the cheapest pints, significantly lower than prices in Canada or major US cities.
The ceremony has also showcased the official World Cup mascots—Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA)—as well as a host of football personalities and celebrities walking the red carpet.
With the formalities nearly complete, attention now turns to the critical moment: the unveiling of all eight World Cup groups. The world awaits the matchups that will shape the journey to North America’s historic 2026 global showcase.
