FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Set for December 5 in Las Vegas: Reports
Las Vegas, July 30, 2025 – The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will feature an expanded 48-team format, is expected to take place on December 5, 2025, in Las Vegas, United States, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday.
Sports networks ESPN and TUDN Mexico confirmed that Las Vegas had been chosen to host the highly anticipated draw of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The draw will see 12 groups of four nations each selected for the first time in World Cup history following the competition’s expansion.
Venue Speculations in Las Vegas
While ESPN initially reported that The Sphere, a 17,500-seat cutting-edge venue that opened in 2023, was the frontrunner to host the draw, sources from the venue later confirmed to AFP that it would not be the location.
The final venue in Las Vegas for the draw ceremony has yet to be officially announced.
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World Cup History Repeats Itself
Las Vegas previously hosted the World Cup draw back in 1994, despite not being a host city for any tournament matches that year. Similarly, the city will not host any matches in the 2026 edition, yet it will stage one of the tournament’s most important events.
The draw will officially set the stage for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the first to feature three host nations and the new 48-team format, creating more opportunities for nations to qualify and compete on football’s biggest stage.
The World Cup matches will be spread across major cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With expanded groups and more teams participating, the 2026 tournament is expected to be the largest in FIFA history, both in scale and global audience.
