FIFA has published many details about the draw and this is how everything will work.
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FURTHER — Watch the 2026 World Cup live with Pro Soccer Talk
42 of the 48 teams have confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup next summer, with matches taking place in the US, Mexico and Canada, and all three hosts already know where they will play their group matches. But where will the others play and when?
FURTHER — Preview of the 2026 World Cup draw
Here are all the details you need to know.
How to watch the 2026 World Cup live, streaming
The 2026 World Cup draw starts at 12 pm ET on Friday, December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
You can watch the draw live in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock here, while the Pro Soccer Talk Team to Host Live Watchalong Show to break the tie while it’s happening, here.
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When will the 2026 World Cup calendar be announced?
FIFA has confirmed that although we will know which teams are in each of the 12 groups, we will not know where they play until Saturday, December 6. Because? Here is FIFA’s explanation:
“While the final draw will determine which teams will play each other in the group stage, the updated match schedule, including the stadium assigned to each match and the respective kick-off time, will be confirmed on Saturday, December 6.
“The match allocation process following the draw aims to ensure the best possible conditions for all teams and, where possible, allow fans around the world to watch their teams play live in different time zones.”
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So basically, after the groups are drawn, FIFA will put the games in the best possible location as far as time zones are concerned.
Therefore, teams from Asia and Europe will likely play earlier in the day and be based on the East Coast, while teams from North, Central and South America will play later in the day and that likely means they will be based on the West Coast for the group stage.