MBABANE – Washington DC will become the football epicentre as legends from American sports will assist Rio Ferdinand in the historic 48-team World Cup final draw.
The final draw for the biggest spectacle in sport, the FIFA World Cup 2026, will transform Washington DC into the epicentre of global sport this Friday, December 5, 2025. The eyes of the world will turn to the iconic John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts for a show blending sport, entertainment and pure theatre.
As per a correspondence copied to this publication by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Media Office, this landmark event will unveil the group-stage match-ups for the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, marking the dawn of a new era for the beautiful game.
FIFA has announced an exceptional assembly of sporting legends and world-class conductors to steer fans through the excitement. FIFA Legend and former England captain Rio Ferdinand, one of the most celebrated defenders of his generation, will conduct the draw, assisted by award-winning international broadcaster Samantha Johnson. Together, they will guide the audience through a truly unprecedented draw, following the official procedures.
“To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honour,” Ferdinand said. “As a player, I lived for these global stages – now I’m humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for.”
Joining them will be an extraordinary cross-sport cast of icons from American football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey, making this final draw — yet again — unlike any before.
The list of draw assistants is a ‘who’s who’ of North American sporting royalty:
Tom Brady: Seven-time National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl champion.
Shaquille O’Neal: Four-time National Basketball Association (NBA) championship winner and Hall of Famer.
Wayne Gretzky: National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion.
Aaron Judge: Seven-time Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star of the New York Yankees.
The presence of these behemoths bridges the worlds of global football and North America’s most celebrated sports.
“Being part of the final draw for the FIFA World Cup is an incredible honour – it’s the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of,” said Brady. “I’m excited to help set the path for a tournament that brings the world together like nothing else.”
“When you’ve worn your country’s colours, you understand how much moments like this mean,” added O’Neal. “The World Cup is one of the biggest stages in sports, and being part of the final draw is something in which I take a lot of pride.”
“I follow football closely, so being part of the World Cup draw is incredibly special,” reflected Judge. “With the final set for New York New Jersey – right where I play – I can’t wait to see which teams will be battling for the title in our own backyard.”
“I’m thrilled to be part of the draw that will decide the fate of the participating teams – and stir emotions across the world,” Gretzky commented. “This will be an unforgettable moment for me personally.”
Rounding off the star-studded line-up, two-time NFL Super Bowl champion Eli Manning is set to bring his trademark charisma to the event as its red carpet host.
The final draw will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and by FIFA’s media partners around the world from 7pm Eswatini time. North American countries United States of America, Canada and Mexico will host the global showpiece in the period June 11 – July 19, 2026.
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