FIFA has announced a glittering entertainment cast for the Final Draw of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, scheduled for Friday, 5 December 2025, at the historic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. The globally televised event, set for 12:00 ET (18:00 CET), is expected to attract millions of viewers as football takes a decisive step toward its biggest edition yet.

The show will be co-hosted by three global entertainment heavyweights: supermodel and Emmy-winning television personality Heidi Klum, American comedy superstar Kevin Hart, and Hollywood actor and producer Danny Ramirez.

Klum, who previously featured at the Final Draw for Germany 2006, described her return as “extraordinary.”
“Being part of the magic again, on an even bigger stage involving three host countries and 48 teams, is an incredible honour,” she said.

Ramirez, whose roots span both the United States and Mexico – two of the tournament’s hosts – said co-hosting the draw is a personal milestone.
“As someone who grew up playing football, getting to co-host this event and meet World Cup legends is a dream,” he noted.

The evening will feature performances from some of the world’s most celebrated musicians. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, one of classical music’s most acclaimed voices, will headline the musical programme. He will be joined by global pop star Robbie Williams, performing alongside American singer and Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger.

To cap off the night, disco icons Village People will deliver a crowd-rousing rendition of their timeless anthem Y.M.C.A. once the draw proceedings are completed.

FIFA said details of the draw conductors and assistants who will oversee the official team selections will be announced at a later date.

The Final Draw will be streamed live on FIFA.com and across FIFA World Cup social media platforms, in addition to global broadcast coverage through FIFA’s media partners.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams — making this draw one of the most watched and anticipated in the tournament’s history.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Two adjacent transparent bins in London became the venue for a silent but heated debate in 2015, with smokers depositing their stubbed-out butts to settle a burning question: who was the best soccer player in the world, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

As a way to encourage people to use bins for their butts, the biggest career rivalry in 21st-century soccer proved to be an effective conduit.

A decade on, however, the debate still rages as the duo head towards becoming the first men to appear in six World Cups.

Ronaldo and Messi have each scored more than 800 goals for club and country, winning nine Champions Leagues and 13 Ballon d’Or trophies between them.

Messi’s fans argue that his World Cup triumph for Argentina in 2022 puts him top of the pile but Ronaldo-worshipers cite his titles across Europe’s major leagues, a tally of 954 goals, including 143 for his country, and being the most-capped male international footballer with 226 appearances for Portugal.

Next year’s tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, when Ronaldo will be 41 and Messi turns 39, will surely be their last.

WORLD CUP 2006

Ronaldo was 21 and Messi almost 19 when they became their countries’ youngest World Cup goalscorers when they debuted in the tournament in Germany.

Messi did not play in the quarter-finals, where Argentina were beaten by the hosts on penalties. The next day, Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty in a shootout with England, before facing heartbreak in the semi-finals, where Portugal lost to France.

WORLD CUP 2010

Ronaldo, the Portugal captain, scored only one goal in South Africa before Portugal lost to champions Spain in the last 16.

Messi, who failed to score in the tournament as Argentina were ousted by Germany for the second straight time, faced heavy criticism back home, with fans accusing him of caring less about his country than his club Barcelona.

WORLD CUP 2014

Portugal had a forgettable campaign as Ronaldo, who was risking his career playing with a knee injury, scored only once as they were eliminated in the group stage.

Messi, now his country’s captain, came into his own, however, scoring in every group game and winning four straight player-of-the-match awards.

Argentina, however, lost the final to Germany. A tearful Messi’s Golden Ball trophy was no consolation.

In the next two years, Argentina lost the finals of the Copa America and the Copa America Centenario, both to Chile on penalties. A heartbroken Messi announced his retirement from international football, but reversed his decision later.

WORLD CUP 2018

Both Argentina and Portugal suffered second-round exits. Messi scored only one goal in the group stage before defeat by France in the last 16.

Ronaldo, who had won the European Championship with Portugal two years earlier, scored a hat-trick in their first group fixture, a 3-3 draw with Spain. However, he missed a penalty against Iran, before Portugal lost to Uruguay in the second round.

The following year, Ronaldo helped Portugal win their first Nations League title, scoring a hat-trick in the semi-finals.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Suriname coach Stanley Menzo has surprisingly quit after their failure to secure direct World Cup qualification last month but ahead of the March playoffs where they still have a chance to claim their first-ever place at the finals.

Ex-Netherlands goalkeeper Menzo announced his resignation on Sunday after Suriname’s loss to Guatemala in their last group game in November saw them cede top spot to Panama, who qualified instead for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

However Suriname, thanks to a fortuitous last-gasp own goal, qualified for the March inter-confederation playoffs as one of the two best runners-up from the three groups in the Concacaf zone and will play Bolivia in the playoff semi-final in Mexico.

The winners will face Iraq for a place at the finals.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together, and it has been a great honour for me to be part of this extraordinary journey,” said Menzo, 62, in a statement.

“Nevertheless, I believe that taking a step back is the right decision at this time.

“I sincerely wish the players, staff and board much happiness, strength and success as they take this final decisive step in March. This comes from the bottom of my heart.”

After defeat by Guatemala, Menzo was subjected to a storm of criticism from the Surinamese press and fans, who had previously been full of praise for the former Ajax Amsterdam player.

Suriname have benefited from a change in nationality laws which has allowed many Dutch footballers with links to the South American country to play for the team in World Cup qualification and give them a much better chance of qualifying.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H