The groups for 36 teams have been finalised. Only the final pot remains -

American former basketball player and sports analyst Shaquille O'Neal drew Pot 2. Have a look at the teams' positioning now -

American football quarterback Tom Brady drew Pot 1. Have a look at the groups of the remaining nine teams -

Pot 1 - Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), England (4), Brazil (5), Portugal (6), Netherlands (7), Belgium (8), Germany (9), United States (14, placed in Group D), Mexico (15, placed in Group A), Canada (27, placed in Group B).

Pot 2 - Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).

Pot 3 - Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (60), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61).

Pot 4 - Jordan (66), Cape Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curacao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86), UEFA Playoff A, UEFA Playoff B, UEFA Playoff C, UEFA Playoff D, FIFA Playoff 1, FIFA Playoff 2.

The leaders of Mexico, Canada and USA draw the names of their respective sides on the stage. Mexico is in Group A, Canada in Group B and the United States in Group D.

A video reflecting the 1994 World Cup, which was hosted by the USA, runs on the big screen, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino takes the centre stage after that. He invites Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and US President Donald Trump to assist the draw.

"Truly one of the great honors of my life" - This is how Mr. Trump started his speech after receiving the award. He thanked Canada and Mexico for their friendly relationship with the country. The US President also thanked his wife Melania Trump and the rest of the audience before leaving the stage.

'FIFA Peace Prize 2025' is being awarded to US President Donald Trump. FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents Mr. Trump the award, which includes a trophy, a medal and a certificate. Notably, this is the first time this award is being given by FIFA.

Well, American comedian and actor Kevin Hart, and model Heidi Klum are the hosts for the big event that is underway in Washington, DC.

Currently, English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams and American singer-songwriter and dancer Nicole Scherzinger are performing on the stage.

“The FIFA World Cup is greatest event that humanity has ever, and will ever, see. We have three amazing countries, 60 beautiful cities and 48 teams competing to become the one and only world champion. It is like having 100 Super Bowls in one month,” said Gianni Infantino.

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney are also there in the crowd. FIFA president Gianni Infantino welcomed the couple as well. Notably, Canada is one of the co-hosts for the tournament.

The much-coveted event in Washington, DC has got underway. Currently, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is addressing the crowd. He has started with welcoming US President Donald Trump and First Lady of US Melania Trump. 

As expected, US President Donald Trump is also there at the venue. He is sitting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

POV: You're at the @FIFAWorldCup Final Draw in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/LmEjYUglZ6

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 5, 2025

The highest-ranked team that hasn't already qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 is four-time champion Italy, ranked No. 12 by FIFA. The Italians still have a chance to qualify via UEFA Playoff A, so teams will likely be hoping to avoid being in the same group with that pot 4 placeholder.

The top four teams in the FIFA ranking — Spain, Argentina, France and England — will be drawn in such a way that, should they win their groups, they would not face each other before the semifinals.

Other constraints during the draw include:

— Each group must have at least one European team, but no more than two.

— Aside from UEFA (Europe), no two teams from the same confederation can be in the same group. The other confederations are the AFC (Asia) and CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America) and the OFC (Oceania).

Balls corresponding with the competing countries will be separated into four pots of 12, and each group will include one team drawn from each pot.

42 of the 48 slots have already been filled. Six of the balls in pot 4 do not correspond with any specific country. That's because six spots at the World Cup won't be determined until March. Four European teams will qualify via the UEFA playoffs, and the additional two FIFA playoffs will include teams from all over the world.

Pot 1 - Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), England (4), Brazil (5), Portugal (6), Netherlands (7), Belgium (8), Germany (9), United States (14), Mexico (15), Canada (27).

Pot 2 - Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).

Pot 3 - Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (60), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61).

Pot 4 - Jordan (66), Cape Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curaçao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86), UEFA Playoff A, UEFA Playoff B, UEFA Playoff C, UEFA Playoff D, FIFA Playoff 1, FIFA Playoff 2.

There are few recent parallels to the fervor that's about to descend on the Kennedy Center. When the U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994, the draw was held in Las Vegas and Bill Clinton, the president at the time, didn't attend.

This week's lineup is a reminder that for Donald Trump - a two-term president, bestselling author and onetime reality television star - his favorite role is that of a showman. And Trump's transformation of the Kennedy Center from one of Washington's relatively apolitical spaces into something of an extension of his White House affords him a natural stage.

The US president was instrumental in working with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to move the draw to the Kennedy Center after it was widely expected to take place in Las Vegas.

The stars are arriving for the @FIFAWorldCup Final Draw pic.twitter.com/uu3JdbgNZJ

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 5, 2025

The draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on 10:30 pm IST (12 pm ET), at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. A record 64 nations will participate to determine which 48 teams will take the tournament field this summer. US President Donald Trump is also expected to attend the event, as are President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

History beckons as 48 teams are set to feature in a FIFA World Cup draw for the first time ever. The event will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, tonight. You will get live updates related to the draw here - just stay connected!