New Zealand will learn who the All Whites will play at next year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup when the tournament draw is made on Saturday December 6, 2025 (NZT).
The draw will be made at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and is expected to be broadcast live to New Zealand, starting at 6am (NZT).
The audience at the Kennedy Centre will include team officials, ambassadors, media representatives and dignatories from the three host countries, the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Fans from the 16 host cities will go into a special lottery to decide which of them will win free admission and VIP treatment at the draw event.
Details of the event were jointly announced by United States president Donald Trump, who is the chairman of the Kennedy Center, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Details of the cup draw event are announced by president Donald Trump at the White House. Photo credit: FIFA.
“The draw is a major tournament milestone and one that will continue the remarkable build-up to the biggest sporting event ever, as we get set for many landmark FIFA events across North America throughout 2026,” Infantino said.
Of the 48 teams who will take part in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, 42 will be known by the time of the tournament draw.
So far, 13 nations have been confirmed.
In addition to the three host countries, defending champions Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, IR Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, New Zealand and Uzbekistan have qualified.
The final six berths will be determined via play-off matches in March next year.
This story was first published on August 24, 2025.