Las Vegas will host the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5, with the groundbreaking venue, The Sphere, set to stage the high-profile event, multiple sources reported Tuesday.
According to ESPN and Mexico’s TUDN, the glittering entertainment capital has been selected to host the group stage draw for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The draw will divide qualified nations into 12 groups of four — a historic shift from the previous 32-team format.
The Sphere, a state-of-the-art, 17,500-seat arena that opened in 2023 and features a 54,000-square-meter wraparound screen, is expected to offer a stunning backdrop for the global football event. Its futuristic design and immersive audiovisual technology made it the top choice for organizers.
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Las Vegas was similarly chosen as the draw venue for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, despite not serving as a match host city — a scenario that repeats in 2026. While Vegas will not host any tournament games, its global appeal and infrastructure have again made it an ideal choice for the draw ceremony.
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion of the tournament, increasing from 32 to 48 teams for the first time in FIFA’s history. Matches will be played across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, making it the most geographically expansive World Cup to date.
FIFA has yet to officially confirm the date and venue, but an announcement is expected in the coming weeks. The draw will not only determine the tournament’s opening matchups but will also set the tone for what is anticipated to be the most ambitious World Cup ever staged.
AFP
