Las Vegas has officially been chosen as the host city for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, which will take place on December 5, 2025, according to reports from leading sports media outlets. The event will unfold inside one of the world’s most advanced entertainment venues — The Sphere — bringing together global football federations, fans, and officials for the unveiling of the tournament’s group stage matchups.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup marks a historical expansion of the tournament, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This groundbreaking edition of football’s most prestigious tournament will feature 12 groups of four teams each, reflecting a revised competition format designed to accommodate the increase in participating nations.
Back to Las Vegas After 32 Years
While Las Vegas is not on the list of host cities for the actual matches, this marks the second time the city will serve as the venue for the World Cup draw. The first time was in 1994, when the United States last hosted the FIFA World Cup. At the time, Las Vegas played host to the tournament draw despite not featuring any World Cup matches — a parallel to the current scenario in 2026.
This strategic return to Las Vegas has symbolic value, linking past and future U.S.-hosted tournaments while highlighting the city’s growing influence in major global sporting events. Las Vegas continues to evolve into a multi-sport powerhouse, having recently added professional teams in the NFL, NHL, and WNBA, and securing key sporting fixtures on the global calendar.
The Sphere: A Spectacular Setting for Football’s Grand Reveal
The Sphere, located just off the Las Vegas Strip, is expected to deliver an unforgettable visual experience for the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony. Opened in 2023, the high-tech venue seats 17,500 and features an extraordinary 54,000-square-meter LED display, which wraps around the interior dome. This immersive screen and state-of-the-art audio-visual technology are expected to enhance the drama and spectacle of the draw — a moment of suspense watched by millions around the world.
FIFA officials are reportedly impressed by the venue’s capabilities, which combine cutting-edge production design with massive audience capacity, making it ideal for a global event that requires top-tier staging. The Sphere is fast becoming a centerpiece of major events in Las Vegas, further cementing its status with the selection for this globally significant football ceremony.
Structure of the 2026 Tournament Draw
The expanded format introduces new logistical and competitive challenges. Unlike previous tournaments with eight groups of four teams each, the 2026 tournament will feature 12 groups of four. This adjustment reflects FIFA’s ambition to be more inclusive and extend football’s reach to new nations.
During the draw on December 5, representatives from the 48 qualified national teams will learn which group they fall into and which cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada will host their group-stage matches. The draw will also determine the initial paths to the knockout stages, providing crucial insights for coaches, players, and fans as they begin preparations.
Global Football Community Gears Up for the Biggest World Cup Yet
With more teams and more matches than ever before, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to become the most watched and attended edition in history. Hosting responsibilities are divided across 16 cities in North America — including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, and Guadalajara — and will span from June to July 2026.
The draw in Las Vegas will serve as a major milestone leading up to the tournament, with global media coverage and international attention focused on how the new 48-team format will unfold. Teams will be seeded based on FIFA rankings and regional considerations to ensure a balanced distribution of top-performing teams across the groups.
No Matches for Las Vegas, But Spotlight Remains Bright
Despite not being selected as a match venue for the 2026 World Cup, Las Vegas still plays a significant role in the buildup to the tournament. Its selection as the draw venue highlights its importance as a destination city with infrastructure capable of supporting high-profile international events.
The city has increasingly become a magnet for global sports and entertainment. With the NFL’s Raiders and NHL’s Golden Knights calling it home, and the recent addition of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, the city is undergoing a transformation from a gambling hub to a full-fledged sports capital. Hosting the World Cup draw further cements its position on the world stage.
Looking Ahead: All Eyes on December 5
As football fans eagerly await the grand draw, excitement continues to build for what promises to be a transformative tournament in the sport’s history. For the first time, nearly 50 nations will compete on football’s grandest stage, offering more stories, more dreams, and more chances for emerging football nations to shine.
December 5, 2025, will mark a turning point — the day when the road to World Cup glory officially begins. From The Sphere in Las Vegas, a new chapter of global football will be written, with teams and fans finally discovering where their World Cup journeys will start.
As the world tunes in, Las Vegas will once again remind the global audience that even without hosting a single match, it knows how to put on a show.
