What We Know About the 2026 World Cup Draw: Date and Venue

Football fans can now mark their calendars, as the official date and venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw have been confirmed.

According to reports from ESPN, the highly anticipated draw will take place on December 5, 2025, in Las Vegas, United States. FIFA’s decision puts an end to speculation about whether Mexico or Canada, co-hosts of the upcoming tournament, would get the nod. 

In the end, Las Vegas was chosen as the host city, reflecting the city’s growing profile in global sports events.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-nation format. 

This means more groups, more matches, and a longer tournament spread across three North American nations: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Pedro Cedillo, an executive at Mexican club Pachuca, also hinted at the significance of the draw for host cities: “I understand it will be in Las Vegas, and that’s where we need to be present to provide information about the city of Pachuca, the state of Hidalgo, and the two venues we have.” 

His comment suggests that host city representatives will use the occasion to promote their locations ahead of the tournament.

Interestingly, this won’t be the first time Las Vegas hosts a World Cup draw. The city played a similar role during the lead-up to the 1994 World Cup, the last time the U.S. was sole host.