The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will be the setting for today’s 2026 men’s World Cup draw, as the makeup of the tournament’s 48-team group stage is decided.

Located in Washington, D.C., the Kennedy Center was confirmed as the draw’s venue this summer - after FIFA had been heavily tipped to take the event to another iconic U.S. city.

D.C. beats “Sin City” to draw duties

Earlier this year, it was reported that Las Vegas was FIFA’s likely choice. However, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in August that world soccer’s governing body had finally opted for the country’s capital. The Athletic has reported that FIFA’s selection came at the “suggestion” of the Trump administration.

FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, has established an apparently cosy relationship with Trump, describing the American president as a “really close friend”. FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize, which is to be presented during today’s draw, is set to be awarded to Trump, per a draft run-of-show seen by the news outlet Politico.

“A challenge because of everything going on”

It has also been reported that logistical issues scuppered Las Vegas’s chances of hosting the draw.

The Associated Press this week spoke to Steve Hill, the CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, who told the outlet that “a number of conversations” took place with FIFA about holding the draw in “Sin City”. However, other events in Vegas made it unfeasible.

“In fact, locating a suitable venue and room blocks was a little bit of a challenge because of everything going on in the city,” Hill told AP.

What to know about the Kennedy Center

Located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River, around a mile and a half from the White House, the Kennedy Center is a cultural venue spread over a 17-acre campus, with a 1.5 million-square-foot main building. The center has three principal theaters: the 2,465-seat Concert Hall, the 1,161-seat Eisenhower Theater, and the 2,347-seat Opera House.

Opened in 1971, the center describes itself as a “living memorial to President John F. Kennedy”, who was assassinated just over a year before the project broke ground in December 1964.

The official base of the U.S.’s National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, the Kennedy Center says it hosts “more than 2,000 performances, events, and exhibits” each year.

Hosting today’s World Cup draw is worth $7.4 million to the Kennedy Center, the venue’s vice-president of public relations said last month.

Speaking to AP, Roma Daravi said FIFA is donating $2.4 million to the center, and “has also given us sponsorship opportunities separate from their commitments for an additional $5 million”.

2026 World Cup draw: time, how to watch

The 2026 World Cup draw takes place today, Friday December 5, at 12:00 noon ET/9:00 a.m. PT. It is to be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum, comedian Kevin Hart and actor Danny Ramirez. The draw itself is to be conducted by retired soccer star Rio Ferdinand, with the help of the broadcaster Samantha Johnson.

Viewers in the U.S. can watch the draw on Fox, Peacock, Telemundo and Universo. Your streaming options also include the online platform fubo, which offers new a free trial.

What’s more, you can follow live-text coverage of the draw with AS USA. Joe Brennan will be talking you through the event as it happens.

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