FIFA apparently is about to say Viva, Las Vegas. According to a report by TUDN Mexico’s Gibrán Ariage, Las Vegas will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw on December 5th at the world famous Sphere.
LAS VEGAS
— Gibrán Araige (@GibranAraige) July 29, 2025
¡YA HAY FECHA Y SEDE PARA EL SORTEO DE LA COPA DEL MUNDO 2026! ⚽️ #futbol #mexico #usa #canada #mundial #sorteo@TUDNMEX @TUDNUSA pic.twitter.com/QLePXpDlf5
The Sphere, which opened in 2023, has redefined the already glitzy Las Vegas skyline as the largest LED screen in the world and the largest spherical
building in the world. It seats up to 20,000 people and would provide an incredible backdrop for the World Cup Draw as 48 teams, including the USMNT, learn who they will face in the group stage. Las Vegas, who also held the 1994 World Cup Draw, apparently will be hosting despite not hosting a match during the tournament. Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, was passed over by FIFA for the tournament. However, there have been more recent calls to reconsider Allegiant Stadium as a venue given it’s an indoor stadium after the FIFA Club World Cup had widespread complaints over hot, humid, and severe weather conditions.
There is one big hiccup to overcome before everything gets finalized: the Sphere is currently booked for the evening of December 5th for the kickoff of the Zak Brown Band’s residency at the Sphere. However, there are several factors that could allow the draw to proceed on December 5th at the world famous venue, including the timing of the event. If FIFA decided to make it a primetime event for Europe, that would mean a late morning/midday start in Las Vegas, which would allow for some turnover time for the concert later that evening. The Zak Brown Band could rework its dates or times to allow the World Cup Draw to proceed at the venue. If they can’t work out a deal, there are plenty of other venues in Las Vegas that would be big enough and have the amenities required to host a World Cup Draw.
Currently, 10 teams have qualified to join co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the field of 48: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and New Zealand. There will be 2 spots that won’t be filled until the inter-confederation playoffs in March, and like in 2022, that will be reflected in the draw. However, each team that has qualified at that point for the 2026 World Cup will likely get to undergo the time honored tradition of hoping they get lucky at the slot machine as the world’s biggest sporting event takes full focus.
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