The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took place on Friday, setting the stage for teams worldwide aiming for the prestigious trophy. The United States was placed in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of a playoff among Kosovo, Romania, Turkey, and Slovakia. This grouping offers the U.S. a favorable chance to advance in the tournament next summer.

The draw event was held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. FIFA President Gianni Infantino conducted the lottery, selecting teams from four pots containing 12 balls each to form the initial round-robin groups. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be a historic event, as it will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32. Four new countries will participate: Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Nearly 2 million tickets have already been sold, indicating strong interest in the event.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 venues in North America. The opening match will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, featuring Team USA. The group stage will continue for the first two weeks, followed by the elimination rounds starting with the round of 32. Semifinals will be held in Dallas and Atlanta, with the final match set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

In preparation for the World Cup, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced efforts to enhance transportation systems. "One of the biggest parts of what we do, though, is transit," Duffy stated. He emphasized the importance of ensuring smooth transportation for fans traveling from hotels to the games.

Ticket sales are already underway, with various options available for fans. Companies like Verizon are offering early ticket promotions, including a partnership with soccer legend David Beckham for exclusive pitch-side access. Beckham expressed his excitement for the event, stating, "I’m so excited for the World Cup next year and know that all the spotlight of the greatest players in the world coming to play in the US, Mexico and Canada, will establish even more US based fans of the sport."

Additionally, Bank of America announced a new offer in collaboration with Visa, allowing clients who open a Cash Rewards Visa credit card to purchase up to two tickets for select matches. A lottery for FIFA tickets will open on December 11 at 11 a.m. ET, providing fans with an opportunity to enter online for a chance to secure tickets.