World Cup 2026 draw: When is it? How can I watch it? Who are the favourites for the trophy?

The countdown to World Cup 2026 is very much on, with the competition set to begin on June 11, 2026, and the final of the tournament taking place on July 19, 2026.

The next edition will be the first to include 48 teams, 16 more than previous editions, and the competition will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries - the United States is the primary venue, while Canada and Mexico will also host matches.

It will be the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations and the first since 2002 to be staged by more than one country, so there will be more eyes than ever on the biggest tournament in football.

The draw for this summer's much-anticipated event is set to take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on December 5, 2025, and here Sports Mole runs through the key details.

World Cup draw will be held on December 5, 2025

The groups for the 2026 World Cup will be drawn in the US capital on December 5, 2025, and it will begin at 5pm GMT.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently said: “We are excited to host the most anticipated Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup in history in the cultural and entertainment heart of the United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

"The draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever, as we get set for many landmark FIFA events across North America throughout 2026.

"We look forward to welcoming the team delegations, our partners, global media, and, uniquely, fans representing each of the 16 wonderful Host Cities, to the capital of the United States for this significant occasion.”

Mexico have already been placed in Group A, Canada in Group B and the United States in Group D, and there will be 12 groups of four teams once the draw has been completed.

2026 World Cup draw: How can I watch it?

Supporters will be able to stream the draw live on FIFA's official website and FIFA’s YouTube channel.

In the UK, BBC Two will be broadcasting the draw live, and you can also stream via the BBC iPlayer app or website

Who are the favourites for the 2026 World Cup?

Spain, England, France, Brazil, Argentina and Portugal are all fancied to be serious challengers for the trophy next summer, while Germany and the Netherlands are among the outsiders.

Argentina are the holders of the trophy after beating France on penalties in the spectacular 2022 final held in Qatar, while Les Bleus lifted the trophy in 2018 after beating Croatia in the final.

Lionel Messi has still not committed to representing Argentina at the World Cup, so it remains to be seen whether the legendary player takes to the field in the competition for the final time.

However, Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo will be involved, with the 40-year-old revealing that next summer's World Cup will be his final major international tournament.

When asked whether it would be his last major tournament, Ronaldo told CNN: "Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old (at the World Cup).

"I gave everything for football. I've been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I'm really proud. So let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."

How many teams have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

As of November 12, Canada, Mexico, USA, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Jordan, Australia, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Qatar, England, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia have qualified for the tournament.