Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup draw promises a star-studded lineup. President Trump, assisted by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, will hope to steal the spotlight in a show that includes musical performances from Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, along with appearances from North American sporting icons Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge.

The ceremony, though, will also rely heavily on Samantha Johnson, a broadcaster the average viewer may be less familiar with.

A familiar face for FIFA events

But if you were paying close attention, you may already know the British-Jamaican journalist and presenter. Johnson has played key roles in previous FIFA events, including draws for the 2022 and 2025 FIFA Club World Cups, and the 2022 FIFA The Best Awards.

While comedian Kevin Hart, model Heidi Klum and actor Danny Ramirez will host the gala in Washington D.C., Johnson, along with former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, has been appointed “co-conductor” of the draw. That means she will be partly responsible for ensuring the actual draw itself goes smoothly.

Brady, O’Neal, Gretzky and Judge are listed as “draw assistants,” which likely means they will be selecting the balls and teams.

Award-winning international broadcaster

Doha-based Johnson is an award-winning international broadcaster who has worked as a journalist and news anchor for Eurosport, beIN Sports, Chelsea TV, Sky Sports (UK), DAZN and TNT World (Turkey).

Johnson now mainly works as a presenter for Al Jazeera in Qatar, but she is also a keynote speaker. She uses her platform to discuss diversity and inclusion, female equality, wellness and mental health, women’s health, and of course, sport.

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