Published: 16:51, August 23, 2025
Final draw for FIFA 2026 World Cup to take place in December
By Xinhua
Detail of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and Football Unites the World badges in the Los Angeles FC jersey during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Play-In match between Los Angeles Football Club and Club America at BMO Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (PHOTO / AFP)

GENEVA - The final draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on December 5, FIFA announced on Friday.

Next year's World Cup will be held in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups.

The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada), and D1 (USA), as per the match schedule released last year.

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In addition to the three host countries, 10 nations have already qualified, including defending champion Argentina, along with Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Uzbekistan.

By the time the draw takes place, 42 of the 48 teams will have been confirmed, with the remaining six spots to be decided through play-off matches scheduled for March next year.