Kennedy Center hosts the 2026 World Cup draw: What to expect
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino playing the impresario role at the KenCen. Photo: Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
The World Cup draw is happening Friday at the Kennedy Center.
The big picture: President Trump will share the stage with FIFA officials — he helped bring the event here (it was expected to go down in Las Vegas).
- And there's talk that he may be honored with a new peace prize from the soccer organization.
- Expect a show. And a surrounding traffic mess.
State of play: The gold winner's trophy has landed in town, and a KenCen red carpet is set. We're going to find out who plays whom to kick off next year's USA-Mexico-Canada hosted tournament — featuring 48 nations for the first time ever.
- The draw begins at noon, live on Fox.
Traffic alert: You should avoid the Kennedy Center vicinity: Some streets are closed to traffic and parking, per a D.C. traffic advisory.
- Rock Creek Parkway is off-limits from Cathedral Avenue to the Potomac River Freeway through 3pm Friday, as are several streets near the KenCen.
- Some local traffic for residents and deliveries will be accommodated.
Friction point: D.C. missed out on hosting matches, unusual for a capital city.
- To put it mildly, FIFA officials weren't impressed with FedEx Field, per the Athletic.
- Along the Acela corridor, though, Philly and Boston will host games.
Zoom in: Host nations USA, Mexico and Canada automatically qualified. The rest went through a grueling campaign to get in.
- Six of the 48 qualifying nations are still TBD and will be finalized in March after playoff rounds. Think of them like the wild-card teams. (See full list of qualified nations.)
How it works: Friday's draw will divide the 48 spots into 12 groups of four teams each, setting up the matchups for the group-stage phase of the tournament. They begin June 11.
- We already know that Team USA will play its group matches in LA (twice) and Seattle.
- Canada and Mexico will play their first three matches in their home countries, too.
- On Saturday, FIFA will unveil the full match schedule with dates and locations.
What we're watching: There's always a "group of death," when three strong teams end up in one group.
- Such a group could include Italy, classically a powerhouse but this time around still fighting to qualify through the playoff round.
What's next: The World Cup's group stage round will run June 11-27. The top two teams advance to the Round of 32.
- The finale: July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.