The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw was announced on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET, marking the first major step toward the quadrennial tournament.
The Draw and Its Venue
The ceremony took place at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., a venue that received a $7.4 million payment for hosting the event. The draw, broadcast live, determined the 12 groups that will compete in the World Cup.
The 12 Groups
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Winner of UEFA Playoff D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Winner of UEFA Playoff A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: United States, Australia, Paraguay, Winner of UEFA Playoff C (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Winner of UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Winner of FIFA Playoff 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Winner of FIFA Playoff 1 (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Philadelphia’s Role in the Tournament
Philadelphia is one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup and will stage five group‑stage matches on June 14, 19, 22, 25, and 27, as well as a Round‑of‑16 match on July 4, the United States’ semiquincentennial.
USMNT Schedule
The U.S. men’s national team has confirmed the dates and venues for its three group‑stage games:
- Match 1 – Friday, June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium
- Match 2 – Friday, June 19 at Seattle Stadium
- Match 3 – Thursday, June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium
Philadelphia Match List
The following matches will take place in Philadelphia during the group stage:
- Sunday, June 14 – Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador
- Friday, June 19 – Brazil vs. Haiti
- Monday, June 22 – France vs. winner of Inter‑Confederation Play‑off Path 2
- Thursday, June 25 – Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast
- Saturday, June 27 – Croatia vs. Ghana
- Saturday, July 4 – Round‑of‑16 (W74 vs. W77)
Watch Parties and Coverage
NBC 10 will provide special coverage during its 4 p.m. newscast on the day of the draw. Siobhan McGirl will also host a watch party at Stateside Live in South Philadelphia, featuring free giveaways and appearances from local athletes and mascots.
Telemundo 62’s Isabel Sanchez will cover another watch party at Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood.
The draw will be available in Spanish on Telemundo and in English on Fox, with an online stream on FIFA.com.
World Cup Timeline
The tournament will run for a month and a week, beginning in mid‑June:
- Group stage: June 11‑27
- Round of 32: June 28‑July 3
- Round of 16: July 4‑7
- Quarterfinals: July 9‑11
- Semifinals: July 14‑15
- Third‑place match: July 18
- Final: July 19
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 World Cup draw was held on Dec. 5, 2025, at the JFK Center.
- Philadelphia will host six matches, including a Round‑of‑16 game on July 4.
- The U.S. men’s team has confirmed three group‑stage match dates and venues.
The draw’s release has set the stage for an exciting World Cup, with Philadelphia poised to welcome fans from around the globe to experience the sport’s biggest spectacle.
