President Claudia Sheinbaum travels to Washington D.C. to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group draw. The event, held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center, will feature Donald Trump and Mark Carney. Mexico will open the tournament on June 11 at Estadio Banorte.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced she is traveling tonight to Washington D.C. for the 2026 World Cup group draw, scheduled for Friday, December 5, at 11:00 AM central Mexico time at the Kennedy Center. In a social media message, she confirmed her attendance at the event where U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also be present. 'The #MañaneraDelPueblo on Friday, December 5, will be led by Secretary of Government, Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez,' she added.
Sheinbaum notified the Senate of her brief absence from the country and did not rule out a short meeting with Trump, though no prior agreement exists. In the ceremony, she will draw the green ball for Mexico, which will head Group A as host. The draw will distribute 48 teams into 12 groups, with Mexico, Canada, and the United States in Pot 1 in predefined positions: Mexico in A1, Canada in B1, and the United States in D1.
So far, 42 teams are qualified, including the hosts; six spots remain to be decided in UEFA playoffs and an intercontinental tournament in Mexico. The broadcast in Mexico will be on Canal 5, Las Estrellas, TUDN, ViX, FIFA's YouTube channel, and FIFA.com. The full match schedule will be revealed on December 6 at 11:00 AM. This World Cup, the first with 48 participants, will be played from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 venues in three countries.
