The excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to build, with FIFA announcing a spectacular lineup of global sports icons who will help conduct the Final Draw on Friday in Washington, D.C. Among the celebrity participants are NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, and NHL great Wayne Gretzky. Each will take the stage to draw the balls that determine which nations will compete together in the tournament’s group stage.
Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and now a part-owner of Birmingham City FC, expressed his enthusiasm about joining one of the biggest events in global sport.
“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,” he said in a statement released by FIFA. “I’m excited to help set the path for a tournament that brings the world together like nothing else.”
Star-Studded Hosting and Entertainment Lineup
The draw ceremony will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum along with actors Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez, ensuring an energetic and entertaining event. The program will feature performances by international stars including Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and an appearance by The Village People, who will perform the iconic hit “Y.M.C.A.”
Adding to the evening’s significance, FIFA will introduce its first-ever Peace Prize, designed to honor individuals and initiatives making meaningful contributions to global peace.
Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning will host the red carpet portion of the event, contributing to the already high-profile environment.
Historic Tournament Expansion
The 2026 World Cup marks a major evolution for international football, expanding from 32 teams to 48 for the first time in the tournament’s history. This year’s draw will feature a record 64 qualifying teams, representing more than 30% of FIFA member nations. Currently, 42 spots are secured, while 22 teams will compete in playoffs to determine the final six berths by March 31, 2026.
The expanded event will include 104 matches, up from the traditional 64. Hosted across 16 venues in North America, the competition will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 78 matches taking place in 11 NFL stadiums. All quarterfinals will be played in the U.S., while Canada and Mexico will host 13 games each.
The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will feature a halftime show for the first time in World Cup history.
USA Match Schedule and Format Changes
The U.S. Men’s National Team will open the World Cup on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by a matchup in Seattle, and return to Inglewood for the final group-stage game on June 25.
The competition format introduces a new Round of 32, allowing tournament advancement for group winners, runners-up, and eight third-place teams.
