World Cup Draw 2026 and the Start of Your World Cup Predictor Game: What Were the Big Moments from D.C.?

We can all begin to truly get excited about World Cup 2026 and our very own World Cup Predictor game. The World Cup draw took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Friday, and the 2026 World Cup Schedule was announced a day later. With the roadmap for the biggest tournament in sport now available, you can get your wall charts ready, plan your trip if you fancy heading over, and set up a World Cup predictor game that will entertain alongside the matches in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

The American glitz and glamour

A fawning Infantino awarding President Trump a brand-new FIFA peace prize, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, Wayne Gretzky butchering the pronunciation of every country he read out, and the Village People singing us out with Y. M. C. A. It was a weird 2 hours and more, the longest draw we’ve ever seen. They did finally get down to business, though! 

Key dates & venues: the 2026 World Cup schedule is here

What did we find out about the World Cup 2026 from the draw and schedule?

Historic kick-off: Mexico City to kick it all off!

The tournament kicks off in Mexico City at the famous Estadio Azteca stadium on Thursday, 11th June 2026. Co-hosts Mexico will play South Africa to kick off Group A. This is the third time that the stadium has hosted a World Cup opening match, which is a record. 

Where will the host nations play?

After kicking off in Mexico City, the co-hosts will move to Guadalajara to face Korea Republic, before returning to the capital for the final group game against one of the European play-off winners (potentially Rep. Ireland). Canada opens their tournament in Toronto against one of the European play-off winners (potentially Northern Ireland or Wales) before playing in Vancouver against Qatar and Switzerland. USA kicks off in Los Angeles against Paraguay, in Seattle against Australia, and then back to LA to finish the group against one of the European play-off winners. 

The grand finale: New York/New Jersey for the final

The 2026 World Cup final has been awarded to New York/New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. It most recently hosted the inaugural Club World Cup final, won by Chelsea.

How the 2026 World Cup draw impacts your World Cup predictor game

The news has an impact on how you’ll play our World Cup predictor game, giving you (most of) the fixtures to start making your result predictions.

Host advantage and travel: early factors for your predictions

The three host nations clearly have an advantage playing at home, could this mean they are favourites for their specific groups? The cross-continent travel is something the hosts are used to, and could affect teams coming from other parts of the world.

A bigger tournament

The 48-team World Cup makes it bigger than ever before. This means more teams, more fixtures, and more results to guess as part of your World Cup predictor game!

Predicting the knock-outs

The World Cup bracket has been set, alongside the World Cup 2026 groups. With the top two seeds kept apart until the final (if they win their groups), you can go all the way through and guess the winner if you wish. There are 12 groups of 4, a new round of 32, and plenty of research for you to get on with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When does the 2026 World Cup start?

It all kicks off between Mexico and South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11th, 2026. 

Q. Where is the 2026 World Cup final?

A. The venue has been chosen for the World Cup Final 2026. It will be at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (the New York/New Jersey Stadium). The final will be held on July 19th, 2026.

Q. How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

A. The next World Cup is the biggest in history. 48 teams will compete; the first time there has been a change in the number of countries since the World Cup became a 32-team tournament at France 1998.

Q. How does the new 48-team World Cup format work?

A. The expanded tournament comprises 12 groups of 4 teams. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages, which for the first time includes a Round of 32.

Q. Can I play a World Cup predictor game with friends?

A. Yes! Our World Cup predictor game is designed to be played with your friends and colleagues. You can quickly and easily set up a private league and compete to see who’s got the best football and World Cup knowledge!

The countdown begins: start your World Cup predictor game today!

The draw has been made; the venues and schedules are announced. England and Scotland know who they’ll be facing, whilst Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland all know the groups they’ll be in if they can navigate the playoffs and win a place at next summer’s tournament.

Do you have what it takes to predict the winner of the biggest World Cup in history? Sign up to our World Cup predictor game, invite your colleagues, friends, and family in your private league, or join a public league. It’s a fun way to play along with the pinnacle of sport in a few months’ time.