Brady among sports icons assisting with 2026 World Cup draw

Four of North America's biggest sports stars will take centre stage at Friday's World Cup draw, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, basketball great Shaquille O'Neal and active baseball star Aaron Judge will assist with the draw at the ceremony in Washington, the world governing body said.

The 2026 tournament will take clearer shape when the 12 groups are revealed on Friday, with six teams still yet to qualify for the expanded 48-team event in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The draw takes place at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with former England captain Rio Ferdinand conducting it.

"To conduct this historic draw is an unbelievable honour," Ferdinand said.

"As a player, I lived for these global stages – now I'm humbled to play a different, special role together with an incredible line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for," the former Manchester United defender added.

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, said taking part in the draw was "an incredible honour" and a chance to help "set the path for a tournament that brings the world together like nothing else."

The World Cup has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams, with now 104 matches instead of 64 to be played between June 11 and July 19.

World Cup draws traditionally feature retired sporting figures, often from football. By choosing a star quartet rooted in North American sport, FIFA is nodding to the sporting culture of the three host nations.

The entertainment segment of the ceremony, which US President Donald Trump is expected to attend, will be hosted by German model and television personality Heidi Klum.