FIFA's historic 48-team World Cup draw takes centre stage

THE FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday will mark an unprecedented fusion of global sporting excellence and fanfare at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

- HERMAN GIBBS

The event heralds the start of a historic chapter in football, featuring the first-ever 48-team World Cup. Leading the ceremony will be former England captain Rio Ferdinand, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest defenders.

Ahead of the event, Ferdinand said, “To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honour.

“As a player, I lived for these global stages — now I’m humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible lineup to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for”