Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will lead the much-anticipated 2026 World Cup draw on Friday in Washington, D.C. The event will take place at the prestigious Kennedy Center, starting at 17:00 GMT (12:00 local time).
Notable Participants and Entertainment
Alongside Ferdinand, the draw will feature a lineup of sports legends. Broadcaster Samantha Johnson will co-host, and notable figures include:
- Tom Brady, NFL legend with seven Super Bowl victories
- Wayne Gretzky, NHL superstar and four-time Stanley Cup champion
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees hero and seven-time MLB All-Star
- Shaquille O’Neal, NBA icon with four championships
The entertainment segment promises to be exciting, featuring performances by:
- Village People, performing their classic hit “YMCA”
- Robbie Williams, British pop superstar
- Andrea Bocelli, renowned Italian tenor
- Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Dolls singer
Co-Hosts and Coverage
The draw will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart. Actor and producer Danny Ramirez will interview guests during the event.
This draw is especially significant as the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 nations. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Viewers can catch the event live on the BBC, including platforms like iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and Radio 5 Live.
Key Event Details
| Date | Time (GMT) | Location | Hosts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 17:00 | Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. | Rio Ferdinand, Samantha Johnson |
The excitement around the 2026 World Cup draw continues to build, promising a blend of sports and entertainment that fans won’t want to miss.
