Washington instead of Las Vegas: The group draw of the XXL World Cup 2026 will take place on December 5th in the US capital. President Donald Trump announced on Friday.
Accordingly, the lots are pulled in the Kennedy Center. Most recently, media had reported that the concert arena Sphere in Las Vegas should serve as the venue.
“It is the biggest, probably the greatest sporting event of all time,” Trump, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, told reporters in the Oval Office. He held a golden World Cup cup in his hands.
The tournament with 48 teams will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada next year. The opening game will take place on June 11th in Mexico City, the final on July 19 in East Rutherford near New York. Washington is not a venue.
The selection of the German Football Association (DFB) starts on September 4 in Slovakia in the World Cup qualification. Other opponents are Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. Only the group winner will certainly qualify for the World Cup.