World Cup hosts Trump, Carney and Sheinbaum draw their nationsbr br The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw began on Dec. 5, 2025 with US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum picking their respective nations during a high-profile ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. br br The event, starting at 1700 GMT, featured Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performing 'Nessun Dorma,' followed by pre-draw festivities.br br The draw, which utilizes a new seeding system, ensures the top four sides—Spain, defending champions Argentina, 2022 runners-up France, and England—are prevented from meeting until the semi-finals if they top their groups. br br The allocation of groups for the expanded 48-team competition is due to begin at around 1800GMT. The 48 teams - including six still-to-be-decided playoff winners - will be divided into 12 groups of four to produce a mammoth 104-match schedule across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.