15 January, 2026, 8:51 am Central - 28°C Clouds

FIFA announces hosts, musical performances for World Cup draw

FIFA announces hosts, musical performances for World Cup draw

By Rashika Kumar
04/12/2025
Photo : Reddit

he eyes of the football world will turn to Washington on Saturday as FIFA unveils the groups for the 2026 World Cup, with a celebrity-packed entertainment lineup set to accompany the draw ceremony.

The draw takes place at 5am on Saturday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The event will determine matchups for the expanded 48-team tournament spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Model Heidi Klum will co-host alongside comedian Kevin Hart and actor Danny Ramirez. Klum also hosted the 2006 World Cup draw in her native Germany.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform alongside pop star Robbie Williams, who appears with Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger.

Disco group Village People will close the ceremony with their anthem "Y.M.C.A.," a favorite of President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the ceremony along with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The draw ceremony represents a major milestone for what will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 104 matches across 16 host cities from June 11 through July 19, 2026.

Former soccer star Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson will run the draw proceedings, while retired sports legends Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge will appear on stage.

Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning will serve as red carpet host.

The Kennedy Center will welcome team officials, ambassadors and fans representing the tournament's host cities for the draw, which will be broadcast globally by FIFA's media partners.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Fiji among 75 countries facing U.S immigrant visa suspension
Fiji is one of 75 countries whose nationals will see their applications for immigrant visas temporarily suspended by the United States.US Department o...
46 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Dhurandhar becomes highest-grossing Indian film in North America
Ranveer Singh’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar has become the highest-grossing Indian film in North America, surpassing the nine-year-old record ...
23 minutes ago

Cancer affects Fijians every day of the year, not just in October - Chan
Cancer affects Fijians every day of the year, not just in October, and this misconception is one of the biggest challenges facing the Fiji Cancer ...
27 minutes ago

WATCH: From Prison Walls to Graduation at FNU – Aisea Toribau on fijivillage Straight Talk
From prison walls to graduating at Fiji National University, Aisea Toribau appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. At a period ...
2 hours ago

Sawani to Colo-i-Suva Water Project to commissioned in February next year - Soderberg
The Sawani to Colo-i-Suva Water Project is expected to be commissioned by February next year.This was highlighted by the Water Authority of Fiji CEO ...
15 hours ago

Search continues for two men swept away by strong currents
The search continues for a 50-year-old man and a 65-year-old man who were swept away by strong river currents in separate incidents on Monday ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
13 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
24 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
24 days ago

TOP