FOX Sports, the English-language home of the FIFA World Cup 2026, announced that it will broadcast an unprecedented 3 1/2 hours of live coverage of the tournament’s Final Draw, marking the first time the event will air on U.S. broadcast television.
The special event coverage kicks off with a live pre-show at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, December 5, airing from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Final Draw itself will run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. Following the draw, FOX Sports will continue live coverage until 3:00 p.m., offering instant analysis, reactions, and interviews.
“This is a landmark moment for FOX Sports and for U.S. soccer fans,” said Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports. “For the first time ever, fans across America can watch the FIFA World Cup Final Draw live on broadcast television and get immediate expert analysis from some of the game’s most respected voices.”
FOX Sports will feature veteran sportscasters Rob Stone and Jenny Taft as the network’s on-site anchors. Former U.S. Men’s National Team stars Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden also will be part of the coverage. Both are acclaimed analysts who will provide insight and commentary on the draw. The draw will determine the Group Stage matchups for the tournament’s record 48-team field, including the U.S. Men’s National Team.
The Final Draw represents a major milestone on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will open on Thursday, June 11, 2026, across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Fans will discover which teams the U.S. Men’s National Team and other nations will face in the tournament’s Group Stage, setting the stage for one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events.
In addition to broadcast coverage, FOX Sports Digital will provide in-depth reporting around the Final Draw. Two dedicated digital shows, anchored by Lalas, Holden, and other U.S. Soccer legends, will spotlight the key storylines and developments leading into the tournament.
The digital coverage begins with the FOX Sports FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw Preview show, debuting Monday, December 1, at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Following the draw, the FOX Sports FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw Reaction show will air on Monday, December 8. Both hour-long shows will be available on FOX Sports and FOX Soccer accounts across FOX Sports’ digital platforms, giving fans a comprehensive look at the teams, players, and matchups that will define the 2026 World Cup.
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