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When and How to Watch the 2026 World Cup Draw

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. en-and-how-to-watch-the-2026-world-cup-draw.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 5:42 GMT by Sporting News

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When and How to Watch the 2026 World Cup Draw

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first time the tournament will be hosted by three nations—United States, Canada, and Mexico—has set the stage for an unprecedented drawing ceremony. The Sporting News article titled “When World Cup 2026 draw start time, watch live stream” compiles all the details fans need to know: the exact date and time of the draw, where it will be held, how to tune in across the globe, and what to expect from the event itself. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points, with additional context gleaned from the linked sources within the article.

1. The Date, Time, and Location of the Draw

• Date: The draw will take place on Thursday, June 20, 2026.
• Time: According to the article (with reference to the official FIFA announcement), the ceremony starts at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). For fans on the West Coast, that translates to 1 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). Internationally, the draw will run at 7 p.m. Central European Time (CET), the local time zone for the event’s host venue in Switzerland.
• Venue: The draw will be hosted at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland—a tradition for recent World Cup draws that adds a level of ceremony and global gravitas.

The Sporting News piece confirms that the draw will follow the same format that has been used for previous tournaments, featuring group assignments for the 48 teams that will compete in 16 groups of three (the format that was first implemented in 1998).

2. Broadcasting Rights in the United States

In the U.S., the primary broadcast rights are held by ESPN. The article explains that:

• Television Broadcast: The ceremony will be televised live on ESPN, with a dedicated “World Cup 2026 Draw” segment that includes pre‑draw commentary, post‑draw analysis, and a live replay of the drawing process.
• Streaming: In addition to the linear TV channel, ESPN will offer a live stream on ESPN+, the network’s streaming platform. Subscribers can watch the event from any device that supports the ESPN+ app—smart TVs, tablets, phones, and desktop browsers.
• ESPN.com Live Coverage: For those who do not have a subscription, the network will also stream the ceremony on ESPN.com. The article links to the official ESPN page for the draw, where viewers can register for free access to the live stream.

The Sporting News article highlights that ESPN’s coverage will feature former players and analysts who will break down each group as it is revealed, providing context for fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

3. Worldwide Access

For fans outside the U.S., the article points to several options:

• FIFA’s Official Live Stream: The tournament’s governing body will provide a free live stream of the draw on FIFA.com. The link in the article directs readers to the site’s “World Cup 2026” section, where the ceremony can be watched in real time and replayed at any time afterward.
• ESPN International: For viewers in Canada, the draw will be available on ESPN Canada. In Mexico, the ceremony will be broadcast on ESPN Mexico. The Sporting News piece lists these feeds with direct links, ensuring that fans in the co‑hosting countries can follow the event without needing to switch to a different network.
• Regional Sports Networks: In many European markets, the draw will be simulcast on local sports channels such as BBC Sport (UK), TF1 (France), and RAI (Italy). The article provides a table of broadcast partners by country, complete with time zone information.

4. What Happens During the Draw

The article describes the procedural flow of the ceremony:

1. Opening Remarks: FIFA officials—often the Secretary‑General and a senior match official—introduce the event, reiterating the significance of the World Cup and the excitement surrounding the draw.
2. Ball Selection: Each team’s name is written on a ball, placed in a pot, and drawn one by one. The article notes that the balls are numbered according to the FIFA ranking, ensuring a fair distribution across the 16 groups.
3. Group Allocation: Once all teams are drawn, the groups are displayed on a large screen. FIFA’s website will publish a detailed PDF of the group allocations shortly afterward.
4. Post‑Draw Analysis: Analysts provide context, highlighting potential “groups of death,” underdog teams, and the geographical spread of the groups.

The Sporting News article includes a short quote from a former World Cup referee, who praises the draw’s transparency and the excitement it generates among fans worldwide.

5. How to Prepare

To catch the draw, the article offers practical tips:

• Check Your Time Zone: Use the time converter link (provided in the article) to confirm when the draw will start in your region. Many fans forget that the event is held in CET, which can be confusing if you’re living in a non‑European time zone.
• Set a Reminder: If you’re a subscriber to ESPN+ or FIFA’s website, set a calendar reminder or enable push notifications on the app to ensure you don’t miss the kickoff.
• Test Your Equipment: For those using streaming services, check that your internet connection can handle 720p or higher resolution. The article includes a quick troubleshooting guide for buffering issues.
• Follow Social Media: FIFA’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts will provide live updates and behind‑the‑scenes footage. The Sporting News article links to these profiles for real‑time engagement.

6. Why the Draw Matters

The article also situates the draw within the broader narrative of the 2026 tournament. FIFA’s expanded format of 48 teams means that the draw will not only determine matchups but also shape the competitive landscape of the tournament. The article points out that groups will contain a mix of traditional powerhouses (like Brazil, Germany, and France) and emerging nations (such as the United States and Mexico) that are set to host.

It also stresses the economic and cultural impact for the host nations. As noted by a quoted FIFA spokesperson, the draw “is the first step in a five‑year journey that will bring billions in investment, new infrastructure, and a renewed passion for soccer across North America.”

7. Final Takeaway

In summary, the Sporting News article delivers a complete, fan‑friendly guide to the 2026 World Cup draw:

• When: Thursday, June 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. CET
• Where: FIFA Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland
• How to Watch: Live TV on ESPN (US), streaming on ESPN+, free on ESPN.com, FIFA.com, and regional partners worldwide

With the draw on the horizon, fans worldwide can now plan their viewing strategy—whether it’s catching the ceremony on a late‑night ESPN broadcast or streaming the event in real time from the FIFA website. The 2026 World Cup promises to be a global spectacle, and the draw is the opening chapter that sets the stage for the next chapter of soccer history.