The World Cup draw in Washington D.C. is set to be a lavish, invitation-only spectacle at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. Rather than a simple tombola, the three-hour event will be hosted by Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, with sporting legends like Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, and Rio Ferdinand conducting the actual draw.
Amidst the glitz, Rio Ferdinand defended FIFA’s high ticket prices, drawing comparisons to other industries. With 42 nations already qualified, anticipation builds for the group stage pairings. Another point of suspense is Gianni Infantino’s announcement of FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, with hints pointing towards a predictable, if controversial, winner.