Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal are set to take the stage as part of a star-studded lineup for the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Friday. This event, announced by FIFA on Wednesday, will assign the participating nations to their respective groups for the tournament, which takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Exciting Lineup for the Draw
Joining Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, and O’Neal, a Hall of Fame basketball player, will be former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, and NHL legend Wayne Gretzky. The draw will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum alongside actors Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez.
Brady expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Being part of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup is an incredible honour — it’s the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of.” He also highlighted the importance of the tournament, noting that it “brings the world together like nothing else.” Brady is also a part-owner of the English Championship team Birmingham City.
Entertainment and Ceremony Highlights
The draw promises to be a glamorous affair, with performances from Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli, and Robbie Williams. The Village People will entertain the audience with their classic song “Y.M.C.A.” Additionally, FIFA will present its inaugural Peace Prize during the ceremony, aimed at recognizing exceptional contributions to peace.
Former NFL star Eli Manning will host the red carpet, adding to the star power of the event. A record 64 nations will participate in the draw, accounting for over 30% of FIFA’s member associations. The expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 teams for the 2026 edition reflects FIFA’s commitment to inclusivity in global football.
As of now, 42 spots have been confirmed for the tournament, with 22 teams heading to playoffs to compete for the final six berths, which will be determined by March 31, 2026.
The upcoming World Cup will feature 104 games taking place across 16 venues in North America, compared to the 64 games in previous tournaments. Notably, 78 matches will be hosted in 11 NFL stadiums, including all quarterfinal games. The final is set to occur at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will include a halftime show for the first time.
In addition to the group winners and second-place teams, eight third-place teams will advance to a new round of 32. The winning team will compete in a total of eight matches throughout the tournament. The United States will kick off the World Cup on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by a game in Seattle seven days later, and concluding the group stage back in Inglewood on June 25.
With such a remarkable lineup of stars and a thrilling tournament format, the anticipation for the FIFA World Cup draw continues to build, promising an unforgettable experience for football fans worldwide.
