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World Cup 2026 Final Draw Unfolds in Washington With New Bracket Safeguards

Stadiums and kickoff times arrive Saturday, with the expanded 48‑team field still awaiting six March playoff winners.

Overview

  • The draw is being staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with live coverage on Fox, Telemundo, the BBC and FIFA platforms.
  • Hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States are pre‑assigned to Groups A, B and D, and teams are seeded into four pots based on FIFA rankings.
  • A new rule keeps Spain, Argentina, France and England on separate paths so they cannot meet before the semifinals if each wins its group.
  • Forty‑two teams are confirmed, with four UEFA playoff winners and two inter‑confederation playoff winners to be decided in March in Mexico.
  • The ceremony features high‑profile presenters and performers, and President Donald Trump is attending and is widely reported as the expected recipient of FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize.