Summary

  • Watch reaction show straight after draw on this page (UK only)

  • Three Lions in Group L with Croatia, Panama and Ghana

  • Scotland drawn with Brazil, Morocco & Haiti

  • Republic of Ireland would face Mexico, South Africa and South Korea if they qualify

  • Wales or Northern Ireland drawn with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland if they progress

  • Mexico v South Africa will open tournament in Mexico City

  • Trump wins inaugural Fifa Peace Prize

  • Get Involved: Comment on this page, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Send us your views

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

  1. Right only about 100 hours (OK 100 minutes) until the draw starts so let's see how it all works.

  2. What else to expect from today's ceremony

    Clare Richardson
    BBC News correspondent in Washington DC

    Temperatures are low but expectations are high at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Amid a snowy backdrop we’re expecting a star-studded line-up hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and actors Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez.

    With less than 200 days to go until the World Cup kicks off, all eyes will be on the draw to determine who will play whom. (Although fans will have to wait until tomorrow to find out when and where.) Keep an eye on the controversial FIFA Peace Prize, which will be awarded after the draw. Officials have been tight-lipped about the winner, but FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wrote this week on Instagram that Trump “definitely” deserves it. The organization Human Rights Watch says it submitted a request to FIFA inquiring about the criteria for the prize, nominees, and who would judge it, but did not receive a response.

    With more countries competing than ever before, there's more potential for international politics to meet sport. We're expecting leaders from the host countries - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, US President Donald Trump, and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum – in attendance today amid trade tensions.

  3. The good news is Jane Lewis has managed to get in out of the snow from outside. Here's a sneak peak as to where the world's media will watch the draw take place.

    AuditoriumJane Lewis

  4. While excitement levels are soaring back in Scotland, the temperature in the media queue Stateside seems to have plummeted.

    Here's a snap taken by BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis as she waits to get entry into today's venue.

    A queue outside the venue in the snowJane Lewis

  5. What's the plan?

    The World Cup draw "show" starts at 17:00 GMT.

    You can watch that on this page, BBC Two or the iPlayer.

    BBC Radio 5 Live coverage starts at 17:30.

    We think the actual draw will start at about 17:55.

  6. Get Involved

    Use the get involved tab to let us know who you want your country to draw today - including for the nations in the play-offs.

  7. The draw everyone is waiting for

    Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2026 World Cup draw which is taking place in the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington.

    And in a very rare moment all of the British and Irish nations have vested interest in this.

    England and Scotland have already sealed their places at the tournament - while Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are in March's play-offs.

    (Wales and Northern Ireland are in the same path so all the lads can't actually qualify.)