Global Sports Icons To Conduct The 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

Some of the biggest names in world sport will headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw in Washington DC, USA, on Friday.

Former England star Rio Ferdinand will lead proceedings, assisted by award-winning international broadcaster Samantha Johnson. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of American sporting legends:

• Tom Brady – seven-time NFL Super Bowl champion
• Shaquille O’Neal – four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer
• Wayne Gretzky – NHL Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup winner
• Aaron Judge – seven-time MLB All-Star and New York Yankees superstar

This diverse group of icons will help draw the 48 nations that have qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup—including South Africa, who return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 24 years.

South Africa Represented at the Draw

SAFA president Danny Jordaan and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos travelled to Washington DC on Wednesday to represent South Africa at the prestigious event.

A Historic World Cup Ahead

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams.

The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will transform Washington DC into the epicentre of global sport on Friday, 5 December 2025, when the eyes of the world turn to the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Blending sport, entertainment and spectacle like never before, the show will reveal the group-stage matchups for the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup™, marking the beginning of a new era for the world’s game.  

FIFA has announced the exceptional assembly of sporting legends and world-class conductors who will lead fans through this exciting event. FIFA Legend and former England captain Rio Ferdinand, one of the most celebrated defenders of his generation, will conduct the draw, assisted by award-winning international broadcaster Samantha Johnson. Together, they will guide audiences through a truly unprecedented draw, as per the official procedures.  

“To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honour,” said Ferdinand. “As a player, I lived for these global stages – now I’m humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for.”  

Joining them on stage will be an extraordinary cast of cross-sport icons from American football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey, making this final draw – once again – unlike any before. Seven-time National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, four-time National Basketball Association (NBA) championship winner and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, National Hockey League (NHL) Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion Wayne Gretzky, and seven-time Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees will serve as draw assistants – bridging the worlds of global football and North America’s most celebrated sports.  

“Being part of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup is an incredible honour – it’s the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of,“ said Brady. “I’m excited to help set the path for a tournament that brings the world together like nothing else.” “When you’ve worn your country’s colours, you understand how much moments like this mean,” added O’Neal. “The World Cup is one of the biggest stages in sports, and being part of the final draw is something in which I take a lot of pride. It’s such a special moment for the players and for the fans around the world, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”  

“I follow soccer closely, so being part of the World Cup draw is incredibly special,” reflected Judge. “With the final set for New York New Jersey – right where I play – I can’t wait to see which teams will be battling for the title in our own backyard.”  

“Soccer has a unique power to unite people from all over the world and create a positive impact, and I cannot wait to see this happening in North America next year and beyond, when we host the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup,” said Gretzky. “I’m thrilled to be part of the draw that will decide the fate of the participating teams – and stir emotions across the world. This will be an unforgettable moment for me personally.”  

To round off the star-studded line-up of sporting icons at the final draw, two-time NFL Super Bowl champion Eli Manning is set to bring his trademark charisma to the event as its red carpet host.  

The final draw will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and by FIFA’s media partners around the world from 12:00 ET (18:00 CET). In addition to the draw conductors and assistants, a star-studded entertainment line-up was announced yesterday for the final draw show.