Supermodel Heidi Klum commanded attention on the red carpet in Washington D.C. on Thursday evening, attending a glamorous reception ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA Football World Cup draw.
Glamour Meets the Beautiful Game
The 52-year-old fashion icon ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived at the Kennedy Center for the pre-draw event. Klum wore a dazzling, figure-hugging red strapless gown covered in sequins, perfectly complemented by a pair of towering matching stilettos. She kept her accessories minimal, styling her long blonde hair in loose waves and flashing a radiant smile for photographers and fans alike.
The sporting reception also saw former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in attendance, looking sharp in a beige jacket layered over a black T-shirt and trousers. Ferdinand is set to play a key role, as he will help conduct the official World Cup draw on Friday night.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Draw
The draw ceremony is scheduled for Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, starting at 5pm GMT (12pm local time). It will be broadcast live on FIFA's official website and YouTube channel. Viewers in the UK can tune in via the BBC and BBC iPlayer, while fans in the United States can watch on Fox and Fubo. Australian audiences have coverage on SBS and SBS On Demand.
The event, expected to last around 90 minutes, will feature broadcaster Samantha Johnson and a host of sporting legends including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O'Neal. Once the draw is complete, the iconic group Village People will perform 'YMCA' to close the show.
This tournament is guaranteed to be the biggest in history, with 48 teams competing for a place in the final at New York's 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium on 19 July 2026. In a first for the World Cup, a half-time show will also feature during the final, adding true American spectacle.
England's Favourable Path and New Tournament Format
England have secured a significant advantage, having already been confirmed in Pot 1 for the draw. They join most of the favourites and the co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the top seeding pot.
Due to a new seeding system, England, as one of the four highest-ranked teams, will avoid fellow heavyweights Spain, Argentina, and France until at least the semi-finals. The 48 nations will be split into 12 groups of four teams, with one team from each pot in every group. A key rule is that all countries in a group must be from different confederations, with the exception of Europe, which can have two teams in one group.
To ensure competitive balance, Spain (ranked 1st) and Argentina (2nd) will be placed on opposite sides of the draw, as will France (3rd) and England (4th). This means England could only meet Spain or Argentina in the semi-finals, or France in the final, provided all these teams top their initial groups.
The draw sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament, potentially featuring the last World Cup finals for legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who will face emerging nations like Haiti and Cape Verde.
