Excitement was in the air at San Francisco’s Chase Center as hundreds of soccer fans from around the World gathered to watch the live World Cup draw, eagerly waiting to see which teams would face off at next year’s tournament. 

The event, organized by the Bay Area Host Committee, was a celebration of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Among the crowd at the home of the Golden State Warriors were former U.S. national soccer team legends Brandi Chastain and Chris Wondolowski, both of whom attended to share in the excitement. 

Both athletes were upbeat about the U.S. squad’s prospects after the draw, with Chastain calling it a "favorable" outcome for the team as they prepare for next summer's global stage.

The United States' group includes Australia, Paraguay and the winner of a European playoff, all teams which the experts say the US squad will be favored to beat.

“I think the U.S. has a great chance,” said Chastain, who famously scored the winning penalty kick in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. 

Wondolowski, who scored 11 goals for the U.S. men’s national team, and remains the MLS all time goal scorer, echoed Chastain’s optimism. 

Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara will host several group stage matches and could host the U.S. in its first knock out stage match if the makes it out of group stage.