Singer Andrea Bocelli performs at the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)
Original Publication Date: December 5, 2025 10:48AM
Publication Updated: December 5, 2025 11:04AM
WASHINGTON (AP) — The World Cup draw determines where teams will play at next year’s soccer tournament between 48 nations that will run from June 11 to July 19.
Presidents from the three host countries attended the event, with U.S. President Donald Trump receiving FIFA’s first peace prize. Trump thanked the leaders of fellow host countries, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
The tournament mascots pose on the red carpet as guests arrive for the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)Workers prepare the red carpet area prior to the final draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)The FIFA Peace Prize is placed on a pedestal before being awarded to President Donald Trump during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, Pool)President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he arrives to attend the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)President Donald Trump reaches in a bowl to gather a ball during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Jia Haocheng/Pool Photo via AP)FIFA President Gianni Infantino and model Heidi Klum react on stage at the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)From left; former NFL player Tom Brady, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, broadcaster Samantha Johnson, former England soccer captain Rio Ferdinand, New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and former NHL player Wayne Gretzky participate in the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Singer Robbie Williams and singer and actor Nicole Scherzinger perform during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Singer Robbie Williams and singer and actor Nicole Scherzinger perform during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)From l-r., FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes a selfie with President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)From left; former NFL player Tom Brady, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, broadcaster Samantha Johnson, former England soccer captain Rio Ferdinand, New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and former NHL player Wayne Gretzky participate in the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum holds up the team name of Mexico during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hold their host countries’ names up during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Singer Andrea Bocelli performs during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)President Donald Trump puts on his FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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FILE - Roy Kramer, former commissioner , Southeastern Conference, listens to Mack Brown, Head Football Coach for The University of Texas, during his opening statement for the panel discussion for "Ethical Issues in College Athletics" in the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on the Texas Christian University Campus, Thursday, Feb., 12, 2004. (AP Photo/David Pellerin, File)
