As the football world awaits the World Cup draw, we make our predictions and tell you what you need to know about the Washington, D.C. event

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Friday at 11 a.m. Central from Washington, D.C., and on that day, the 48-nation field will be separated into 12 four-team groups. The group-stage matchups and where those games will be played, including matches in Kansas City, will be revealed Saturday at 11 a.m. Central, FIFA said Monday.

The 2026 World Cup draw, slated for noon ET from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will determine the makeup of the tournament’s 12 four-team groups for next summer’s tournament, set to take place at 16 venues across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Everything you need to know as the city prepares to host World Cup games, from its sporting history to the best places to eat and drink