When FIFA usually schedules the draw
Recent World Cup draws have landed between April and December in the year before the tournament. Qatar 2022's was April 1, 2022 (ET). Russia 2018's was December 1, 2017 (Moscow time). For 2026, a late 2025 date in a US/Mexico/Canada host city is probable—likely Las Vegas, New York, or Mexico City given FIFA’s preference for spectacle. Bookmark our /world-cup-2026 page; we’ll update the moment FIFA confirms.
Timezone math for global fans
FIFA’s stated time will be local to the draw venue. In 2022, Qatar’s 7pm AST became 12pm ET. For 2026, a 7pm CT start in Dallas would mean 8pm ET, 1am UK, 9am Tokyo next day. Use tools like WorldTimeBuddy once the location is confirmed. Our /today page will display converted kickoffs during the tournament.
Broadcasters and streaming options
Fox (US), TSN (Canada), and Televisa (Mexico) hold rights, with FIFA streaming it free on YouTube as they did in 2022. Expect leaks of pot allocations and seeding rules weeks early—we’ll dissect them at /world-cup-2026-groups. Draw procedure quirks matter: in 2018, England avoided Germany only via a last-second ball switch.
Related coverage
Frequently asked questions
Has FIFA announced the 2026 World Cup draw time yet?+
No. As of 2024, the exact date and time remain unconfirmed. Monitoring FIFA’s official site or our /world-cup-2026 page is the fastest way to get updates.
What time was the 2022 World Cup draw?+
Held April 1, 2022 at 7pm AST (Qatar time), which was 12pm ET in the US. The ceremony lasted 90 minutes including performances.
Will the 2026 draw be in Eastern Time?+
Unconfirmed, but likely. If held in ET/CT like Las Vegas (PT) or Mexico City (CT), North American prime time (7–9pm local) would maximize global audiences.
How long does the World Cup draw take?+
Typically 60–90 minutes including musical acts and procedural explanations. The 2022 draw took 35 minutes just for the group allocations.
Can I watch the World Cup draw without cable?+
Yes. FIFA streams it free on YouTube regardless of regional broadcast rights. In 2022, 3.2 million watched the livestream despite Fox’s US coverage.