LAS VEGAS — FIFA is poised to unveil the group stage pairings for the expanded 48‑team 2026 World Cup in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, holding the ceremony at a location to be named later on the Las Vegas Strip.
This marks a return for Las Vegas, which also hosted the draw for the 1994 World Cup despite not staging any matches during the tournament.
Las Vegas was not selected as a venue city for any of the tournament’s 104 matches, with stadiums in cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, New York and Guadalajara selected instead. FIFA reportedly chose the city once again for its entertainment infrastructure and global visibility.
The World Cup draw will allocate the 48 participating teams into 12 groups of four, with hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States automatically placed in specific seeded positions. A handful of spots will be left open pending UEFA and inter‑confederation playoff results in March 2026.