Washington, D.C. — This Friday, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will showcase a dazzling array of sports and entertainment icons. Among the headliners are NFL superstar Tom Brady and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, ensuring a night filled with excitement and prestige.
Also gracing the stage will be football's star Rio Ferdinand, MLB’s Aaron Judge, and hockey’s Wayne Gretzky. The evening will reveal the group placements for 64 nations, marking a historic expansion from previous tournaments, as FIFA transitions to 48 teams.
Impressive Hosting Team
Co-hosting the event will be renowned model and TV personality Heidi Klum alongside actors Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez, bringing added glamour to the night. Spectacular performances are anticipated, featuring stars like Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and the legendary Village People. Additionally, the ceremony will debut FIFA’s first Peace Prize, honoring exceptional contributions to global peace.
Innovative Format and Exciting Plans
The upcoming World Cup will introduce a revolutionary format, featuring 104 matches across 16 venues in North America. Eleven NFL stadiums across the U.S. will host 78 events, including all knockout-stage matches from the quarterfinals onward, while Mexico and Canada will each stage 13 games. The grand finale is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, featuring a halftime show for the first time in World Cup history.
The tournament’s structure will now include the top two teams from each group plus eight of the best third-placed teams, creating a new round of 32. Teams could play as many as eight matches on their path to victory. The U.S. will kick off its campaign on June 12 in Inglewood, California, with matches in Seattle and a concluding group match back in Inglewood on June 25.
A Global Celebration
For Tom Brady, who co-owns the English club Birmingham City, taking part in this draw represents the “global stage every athlete dreams of.” This ceremony promises to be a celebration not just of football, but of international culture, sportsmanship, and entertainment, heralding the countdown to one of the most awaited tournaments in recent memory.
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