Every way to watch the World Cup draw live online for free
The anticipation for the 2026 World Cup is reaching a fever pitch as the official draw for the tournament is set to take place today, December 5, at 12 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated event will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and will determine how the 48 participating teams are grouped into twelve groups of four. This year marks a significant change in the tournament’s structure, expanding from 32 to 48 teams, which adds an extra layer of excitement and complexity. With 42 teams already securing their spots, the draw will also include teams from four designated pots, ensuring that host nations—USA, Canada, and Mexico—are strategically placed to avoid facing top contenders like Argentina and Brazil in the early stages.
Fans eager to catch the draw live can tune in via Fox, which has the exclusive broadcast rights in the U.S., starting its pre-show at 11:30 a.m. ET. For those without cable, various streaming options are available, including the Fox One add-on for Prime Video, Fubo, and Sling TV, making it easier for soccer enthusiasts to stay connected. The event promises to be star-studded, featuring co-hosts Kevin Hart, Danny Ramirez, and Heidi Klum, alongside sports legends such as Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal, who will assist in the draw. Musical performances from renowned artists like Andrea Bocelli and The Village People will also add to the spectacle, making it a must-watch for both soccer fans and the general public.
Beyond the excitement of the draw itself, the event carries a political undertone, with notable figures such as former President Donald Trump expected to attend. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been keen to engage with Trump, who is set to receive the FIFA Peace Prize during the event. This gesture comes amid ongoing tensions over trade and tariffs between the U.S. and its northern neighbors, Canada and Mexico, represented by Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Claudia Sheinbaum. As the world gears up for this historic tournament, which kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City and culminates in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, the draw today will set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable World Cup experience.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner and today, Dec. 5, is a big day on the road to the biggest event in sports.
At 12 p.m. ET, live from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C., the 2026 World Cup draw will take place. And, if you’re wondering how you can watch the World Cup Draw live, the event will be broadcast live.
How to watch the 2026 World Cup Draw
Fox holds the broadcast rights to the event in the U.S. and will start its pre-show at 11:30 a.m. ET, 30 minutes before the draw begins.
You can get live updates on the draw at
FIFA.com
, or tune into the broadcast online via Fox One. (If you’re a Prime member, you can
add Fox One to your Prime Video account
for free with a 7-day trial.)
If you’re not in the United States, you can check out the global list of official broadcasters at the
FIFA website
. You can also check the
FIFA YouTube channel
to see if it’s streaming live in your region.
How to watch the 2026 World Cup Draw online
If you don’t have access to Fox, either because you don’t have cable or a digital TV antenna, then you’ll need a live TV service to tune in to all the World Cup action. So, if you want to watch the World Cup draw live and follow World Cup coverage, you’ll need to plan ahead. Some of Mashable’s favorite cable TV alternatives include:
How to watch the World Cup Draw live:
Best Free Option
Fox One Prime Video Add-On
Free trial
(7-day free trial (then $19.99/month))
Get Deal
Best for Sports Streaming
Fubo
Free trial
(1-month free trial ($48.99/month))
Get Deal
Best Cable TV alternative
Sling TV
Plans start at $4.99/month
Get Deal
What is the 2026 World Cup draw?
The 2026 World Cup draw will basically place each national team into twelve groups of four. These teams play each other in the opening group stage to see who advances to the next rounds of the World Cup so being placed in a particular group can be an important factor in how far a team gets.
This is the very first World Cup draw for the newly expanded World Cup, which now features 48 teams instead of 32. Of the 48 teams, 42 countries have already clinched their spot in the World Cup with the remaining spots to be determined next year. Each team has been placed in one of four pots for the World Cup draw. One team from each pot will be placed in one of the 12 groups at the draw.
Host countries USA, Canada, and Mexico have all been placed in the same pot with favorites such as Argentina and Brazil, which basically ensures the host countries’ teams don’t have to play some of the better teams early on in the tournament.
And even if you aren’t a soccer fan, the 2026 World Cup draw is going to have plenty of guests to pique your interest. Kevin Hart, Danny Ramirez, and Heidi Klum are co-hosting the event. Sports legends like Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Aaron Judge will all be on hand to assist in the draw. Plus, there will be performances from artists such as The Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli.
If you’re wondering about the music choices, noted YMCA fan President Donald Trump’s attendance at the event should explain a lot. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has gone to great lengths to appease Trump as the U.S. hosts its first World Cup since 1994. FIFA is expected to award Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize at the event. (It’s not
the Nobel Peace Prize he’s been campaigning for
, but it’s something.)
In addition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum, both of whom Trump has been feuding with over trade and tariffs, will be in attendance, so things could get interesting.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City with the final game being held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in the New York / New Jersey metro area.
