Las Vegas will once again host the FIFA World Cup draw, with the ceremony for the 2026 edition scheduled for December 5, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
The draw will determine the group-stage matchups for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 12 groups of four nations will be drawn.
Las Vegas previously hosted the World Cup draw ahead of the 1994 tournament, also held in the United States, despite not being a match venue. The same situation applies for 2026, with Las Vegas not among the cities staging games.
Initial reports from ESPN and TUDN Mexico suggested that The Sphere, a state-of-the-art 17,500-seat venue that opened in 2023, was being considered as a likely location for the event. However, sources from The Sphere later confirmed to AFP and ESPN that the draw would not be held there.
FIFA has yet to officially confirm the venue for the ceremony, but the choice of Las Vegas continues the trend of high-profile, entertainment-focused launches for major football events.