Brady, Gretzky, O’Neal & Judge to Headline World Cup 26 Draw Ceremony
Washington D.C. – The stage is set for the highly anticipated draw ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and it will be a spectacle unlike any other. FIFA has announced a star-studded lineup of North American sports icons to conduct the draw: former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal, and current baseball phenomenon Aaron Judge.
The ceremony, taking place this Friday at 6 p.m. CET at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will determine the twelve groups for the tournament, wich is jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Former England national team player Rio Ferdinand will lead the proceedings as the show’s moderator.
this unconventional choice of draw participants marks a deliberate effort by FIFA to honor the rich sporting culture of the host nations. Traditionally, the draw has been led by footballing greats, but this year’s selection broadens the scope to encompass the broader landscape of North American athletics.
Adding further star power to the event, model icon Heidi Klum will also take part, hosting a segment of the show.Reports indicate that former US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to participate.
The World Cup 2026 is scheduled to run from June 11th to July 19th,2026,and promises to be the largest and most inclusive tournament in FIFA history. Germany is among the twelve teams in Pot 1 for the draw, hoping to avoid a challenging group stage.
