Las Vegas reportedly set to host 2026 World Cup draw in December as run up to 48-team tournament begins

Las Vegas is the landing spot for the 2026 World Cup draw, according to ESPN and numerous reports. The unveiling of the 12-group tournament will take place on Dec. 5.

Cities in Canada and Mexico were reportedly considered for the event, but ultimately ruled out. Those countries, along with the U.S., will co-host the 2026 World Cup starting next June.

The Sphere - a 54,000 seat entertainment venue - was reportedly considered as a potential location, but sources close to the venue confirmed to GOAL that the Sphere will not host the event, and has a conflicting concert on the day of the draw.

There is history to the draw being held in Vegas. In 1994, the draw for the then-24 team event was carried out at the Las Vegas convention center. That was the final World Cup with 24 teams, before the tournament expanded to 32 in 1998.

As of July 29, just 13 teams have qualified for next year's tournament: the USMNT and co-hosts Mexico and Canada, plus 10 nations that have already navigated the slate of their respective confederations. Some teams won't know their staus until after the draw takes place, with intra-confederation playoffs set for March 2026.

The biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece will feature 104 games involving 48 teams played across 16 host cities in three countries.

World Cup qualifying will continue in the fall. International breaks are slated for Spetember, October and November as 35 more teams hope to seal qualification to the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026.