NFL hero Tom Brady, ice hockey classic Wayne Gretzky, and former NBA sensation Shaquille O’Neal will be among those helping to conduct the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw on Friday.
The worldwide governing body of football announced in a statement that former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand would conduct the draw, which will take place at Washington’s Kennedy Center.
Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson will be joined by a phalanx of North American sports stars. According To The south african.
All four of North America’s major professional sports leagues will be represented: the NFL, NBA, National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball.
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Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady, four-time Stanley Cup winner Gretzky, and four-time NBA champion O’Neal will be joined by New York Yankees baseball player Aaron Judge as draw helpers.
“Being part of the final draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is an incredible honour – it’s the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of,” Brady told Reuters.
The World Cup draw on Friday will establish the group allocations for next year’s event, which has been extended to 48 teams and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
President Donald Trump is set to attend the event, where he is expected to collect the new FIFA Peace Prize, which was revealed last month by football supremo Gianni Infantino.
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