World leaders, celebrities and prominent athletes are gathering at the Kennedy Center Friday for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw and the North Texas organizers who secured nine matches for the area – more than anywhere else in the country – are here for it all.
The draw represents a pivotal moment on the road to next summer’s competition, a milestone expected to supercharge interest as matchups are revealed and fans learn where and when their teams will take the field.
“I feel like North Texas, I feel like the world, will be energized after the draw,” said Nina Vaca, co-chair of the North Texas FIFA World Cup organizing committee and CEO of the Pinnacle Group. “People are going to start getting engaged more. You’re going to see ticket sales rocket.”
Not all of the details will be immediately clear on Friday. A more specific schedule of match times and locations will be released Saturday and there are still spots up for grabs in the 48-team field.
Sports Roundup
The groupings determined Friday is a huge step in filling out the picture of what the every-four-years soccer extravaganza will look like.
Which teams will the U.S. national players face in the group stage? How tough will their path to the trophy be? Which superstars could be coming to the Dallas area next summer? Which teams are likely to make their base camps in North Texas?
Stay tuned as we start to answer those questions.
– Joseph Morton
Live updates
11:45 a.m.: Gianni Infantino re-emerges, and he says “you can clap” because this will be the last time he will be on stage today. So the draw must be soon…
11:40 a.m.: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who led his nation to the 2022 World Cup title, is up next, and he has the trophy with him. Former Brazil superstar Roberto Carlos, who won the 2022 tournament, also spoke about his emotions after winning the World Cup.
11:36 a.m.: Trump described the prize as one of the biggest honors of his life. He also spoke about the high ticket sales for the largest World Cup tournament in history. “We’re the hottest country anywhere in the world, and we’re going to keep it that way,” Trump said at the end of his remarks.
11:28 a.m. U.S. President Donald J. Trump is awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, which recognizes an individual who has taken “extraordinary action for peace.”
11.22 a.m.: Robbie Williams is performing.
11:16 a.m.: Infantino describes the 104 matches as “104 Super Bowls,” repeating a phrase that many U.S. organizers have used to put the tournament’s scope in perspective.
11:12 a.m. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is on stage for his speech and he recognizes U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
11:05 a.m. Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum are on the stage, cohosts for the draw in Washington, D.C. Klum says the draw is being watched between 500 million and 1 billion people worldwide.
2026 FIFA World Cup draw
When: 11 a.m. CT
TV/streaming: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock, Fubo
Format: 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four. Each group will have a team from Pot 1, 2, 3 and 4. There are still six spots up for grabs, and those will be determined during the March playoffs. All six of those spots will be put into Pot 4. The other teams, except the three host nations, will be placed according to the latest FIFA rankings.
The top two teams in each group, as well as the eighth-best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stages.
Schedule/venues: The final schedule and venues will be revealed at 11 a.m. CT Saturday.
Pre-draw storylines, features
What would be the best possible 2026 World Cup draw for North Texas soccer fans?
2026 FIFA World Cup could feature North Texas talent, led by FC Dallas’ Petar Musa
Could United States, Mexico play in Texas during 2026 FIFA World Cup?
5 things to know about the 2026 World Cup draw: How to watch, simulated outcomes
Where to eat near Dallas Stadium for the World Cup
See which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup after latest qualifying matches
2026 World Cup ticket update: Where do things stand with 2025 qualifying matches complete?
AT&T Stadium matches
Though we won’t know the full schedule until Saturday, we do already know which groups will play where, as well as knockout matches. Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will host a tournament-high nine matches:
June 14, 2026: Group F (Match 11)
June 17, 2026: Group L (Martch 22)
June 22, 2026: Group J (Match 43)
June 25, 2026: Group F (Match 57)
June 27, 2026: Group J (Match 70)
June 30, 2026: Group E runner-up vs. Group I runner-up (Round of 32)
July 3, 2026: Group D runner-up vs. Group G runner-up (Round of 32)
July 6, 2026: Round of 32 winners between teams from Groups K, L, H and J (Round of 16)
July 14, 2026: Semifinal
Complete groups
Will be posted when available.