THE draw for the 2026 World Cup is set to happen TODAY.
And the record-high 48 nations are ready to find out who awaits them in the group stages.
Helping to present the draw will be the returning Samantha Johnson.
Here, SunSport brings you everything you need to know about the award-winning international sports broadcaster.
When is the World Cup 2026?
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup will take place in North America, spanning across 16 different cities located in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The all important draw will take place TODAY at 5pm (UK time), live from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
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Regardless of the draw, Mexico will get the tournament underway on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The other two co-hosts, the United States and Canada, kick off the following day.
The full schedule for the 2026 World Cup is as follows:
- Group stage: Thursday, June 11- Saturday, June 27
- Last 32: Sunday, June 28- Friday, July 3
- Last 16: Saturday, July 4- Tuesday, July 7
- Quarter-finals: Thursday, July 9- Saturday, July 11
- Semi-finals: Tuesday, July 14- Wednesday, July 15
- Final: Saturday, July 19
Who is World Cup draw host Samantha Johnson?
British-Jamaican presenter Samantha Johnson will be co-hosting the World Cup draw this evening.
The 41-year-old was in a similar role last year when she helped to present the Club World Cup draw.
As well as back in 2022 when she co-hosted the World Cup draw for the previous competition.
And she has impressed on these occasions, her performances being the catalyst for her being picked for the World Cup draw that will be watched by hundreds of millions.
She brings plenty of experience to the table, having worked for a number of sports broadcasters including Sky Sports, Eurosport and beIN Sports.
Her achievements in the world of media have earned her a spot in the PowerList ‘Top 20 of Britain’s Most Influential People Under 40’.
Who else is hosting the World Cup draw?
Alongside Samantha, former England captain Rio Ferdinand will help conduct the record-high 48-team draw.
On this, the Manchester United legend 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 line-up to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting for.”
A remarkable crossover of global sporting greats will see Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal all on stage as draw assistants.