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Las Vegas will host the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 5 December, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, with the state-of-the-art Sphere venue tipped as the likely location for the high-profile event.
Sports broadcasters ESPN and TUDN (Mexico) reported that the glitzy US city has been selected for the official group stage draw of the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The draw will determine the composition of 12 groups, each comprising four national teams.
This won’t be the first time Vegas has played host to a World Cup draw. The 1994 FIFA World Cup, which was also held in the United States, saw its draw ceremony take place in the same city, despite Las Vegas not being a venue for any tournament matches. A similar situation applies to the 2026 edition, with Vegas not among the designated host cities.
According to ESPN, the Sphere — a futuristic 17,500-seat arena that opened in 2023 and features a vast 54,000-square-metre wraparound screen — is expected to serve as the draw venue. Its immersive capabilities make it an ideal backdrop for one of football’s most anticipated global events.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the tournament’s biggest expansion yet, with an increased number of teams and a new format aimed at delivering more matches and greater global representation.
