VFF President attends the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will divide the teams into 48.
Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan arrived in Washington, DC at 00:00 Vietnam time on December 6th to attend the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, where 48 teams were divided into 12 groups; the event was hosted by entertainment stars.
At 00:00 Vietnam time on December 6th, the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), attended by heads of state from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, along with numerous world football officials. Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Standing Committee Member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), participated as part of the AFC and AFF delegation. This event marks the beginning of an expanded World Cup, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups.
The presence of the VFF alongside continental football leaders.
According to FIFA, the draw brought together the heads of state of the three co-hosting countries along with representatives from continental and regional football federations. Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan was present in Washington, DC, along with officials from the Southeast Asian Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation, demonstrating the connecting role of Vietnamese football in FIFA-level activities.
Expanded scale: 48 teams, 12 groups
For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams. The draw in Washington, DC will divide the qualifying teams into 12 groups, creating a new competition structure for the world's biggest football tournament.
The show is co-hosted by a cast of entertainment stars.
FIFA announced that the draw will be hosted by supermodel, producer, and Emmy Award-winning television star Heidi Klum, actor and comedian Kevin Hart, and actor and producer Danny Ramirez. The live audience will enjoy performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger. Following the draw, the Village People will perform their hit song YMCA.
Match dates and venues
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in North America, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The draw is one of the key milestones in the preparation for the tournament.
Key figures
- 48 teams, divided into 12 groups.
- Tournament dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026.
- Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States.
- 16 host cities in North America.
- Location of the draw: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
- Time in Vietnam: 00:00 AM on December 6th.
The draw marks the beginning of a journey towards the biggest World Cup ever, with the participation of the international football community and member federations.
