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The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins this Friday, 5 December 2025, when the tournament’s group-stage draw takes place at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The event marks the first major step toward the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Organisers have described the occasion as more than a procedural draw, with the Kennedy Center prepared to host an evening of global attention. Red-carpet arrivals, elaborate lighting, and a star-studded turnout are expected to give the draw the feel of a major awards gala.
Former World Cup champions, iconic retired players, high-profile football administrators, celebrities from film and music, and political dignitaries will be among the attendees. Their presence underscores the scale of the World Cup as a cultural and sporting phenomenon.
This year’s draw will shape the structure of the first-ever 48-team World Cup. Teams will be placed into groups of three, a new format introduced to increase competitiveness from the opening match. Seedings will be based on FIFA rankings and continental regulations, with teams divided into multiple pots before being drawn into their respective groups.
Each draw will play a significant role in determining a team’s path through the tournament. With only two teams advancing from each group, early matchups could define a nation’s entire World Cup campaign.
Nine African nations Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, South Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Ghana enter the draw with heightened anticipation. Under FIFA’s allocation rules, teams from the same continent are typically separated to avoid early intra-continental clashes, meaning each African side will face a diverse range of opponents.
The outcomes could produce blockbuster fixtures. Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side, may be paired with a European powerhouse, while Senegal, Ghana or Ivory Coast could land challenging clashes against South American opposition. Debutants such as Cape Verde may find themselves with a balanced group offering realistic chances of progression.
For African football, the draw will provide an early glimpse of potential storylines, upsets and opportunities as the continent seeks to build on recent global progress.
Friday’s draw is expected to ignite months of analysis, predictions and debate as nations begin plotting their route toward football’s most coveted prize. For players, coaches and supporters, the announcement of the groups will transform long-held anticipation into concrete targets and tactical planning.
Washington, D.C., widely known for its political significance, will for one night serve as the epicentre of world football. With the 2026 World Cup poised to be the largest in history, the significance of the draw cannot be overstated.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage draw will be broadcast live on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2 on Friday, 5 December 2025, at 19:00.
As the world waits, African nations and millions of fans across the continent will be watching closely, ready to discover the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
