HOUSTON – Houston officials and soccer fans will be watching this weekend as FIFA finalizes the details for the 2026 World Cup.
On Friday, Dec. 5, the Final Draw will determine the composition of 12 groups of four teams each for the first-ever 48-team tournament, with hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically placed in Pot 1.
KPRC 2 will be streaming the Final Draw tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The draw is being held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. It will reveal the opponents each team must face on their path to the final.
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On Dec. 6, the day after the Final Draw, FIFA will release the updated match schedule, assigning each match to a stadium with its respective kick-off time. This announcement is a key moment for Houston, as it will clarify which teams will play in the city and the timing of those matches.
The final will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium — the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets — in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Houston’s Role in the Final Draw
The draw will place teams from Pots 1–4 into groups A–L, with the hosts given specific positions.
Mexico will be assigned A1, Canada B1, and the USA D1. The remaining teams in Pot 1, along with teams from Pots 2, 3, and 4, will be drawn according to FIFA’s procedures.
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FIFA has also established two separate pathways to the semi-finals, ensuring that the four highest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s Ranking are distributed to opposite pathways. The top four teams, in order, are Spain, Argentina, France, and England.
More parameters of the detailed draw procedures are available on FIFA‘s website.
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Why Houston Is Watching
FIFA’s draw and the subsequent schedule announcement mark a critical step for Houston as it prepares to host World Cup matches in 2026.
The release of the match schedule will determine which teams will play in Houston and at what times.
This information will allow local organizers, stadium officials, and city partners to finalize operational plans, including scheduling, staffing, and fan accommodations.
Last month, Houston leaders provided a detailed update on the city’s sustainability efforts tied to the 2026 World Cup.
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