Washington DC is preparing to become the epicenter of global sport this Friday, December 5, 2025, when the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Arts will host the Final Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, the first with an unprecedented 48-team format. The spectacle, which will combine sport, entertainment, and glamour, will define the groups that will mark the beginning of a new era for world football. FIFA has confirmed a star-studded lineup worthy of a blockbuster production. At the helm will be Rio Ferdinand, English football legend and one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. The former England captain will conduct the draw alongside award-winning international presenter Samantha Johnson, following the official procedures of a ceremony that promises to be historic. "Conducting this draw is an incredible honor. As a player, I lived for these global stages, and now I have a special role alongside an extraordinary team," said Ferdinand. But while football will capture everyone's attention, it will be legends from other sports who will provide the American flair for entertainment. For the first time, a group of multi-sport superstars will join the stage as attendees of the draft, creating an unprecedented crossover between global soccer and the major leagues of the United States. Among them is seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who didn't hide his enthusiasm: "Being part of the Final Draft is an incredible honor. This event unites the world like no other." Joining the NFL icon will be equally legendary figures: • Wayne Gretzky, NHL Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion. • Aaron Judge, Yankees star and seven-time MLB All-Star. • Shaquille O'Neal, four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer. All of them will lend their presence to an event that promises to transcend sports. “Soccer has a unique power to unite the world, “And being part of this moment will be unforgettable,” Gretzky stated. Judge, for his part, highlighted the excitement of having the final at home: “With the decisive match in New York–New Jersey,“I can't wait to see which teams will battle for the title in our own backyard.” O'Neal added: “The World Cup is one of the biggest stages in sports. Being part of the draw is a source of great pride.” As the final touch to the star-studded lineup, two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning will host the red carpet, bringing his usual charisma to a ceremony that promises to shine from the very first minute. The event will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and FIFA's official partners starting at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT, on a day when the entire world will have its eyes on Washington, waiting to learn the fate of the 48 teams that will seek glory in North America.

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