SBS to Broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Draw Live this Saturday 6 December – With just 192 days until the single largest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup 2026™, SBS will exclusively broadcast the FIFA World Cup 26 Final Draw, this Saturday 6 December, live and free from 4am (AEDT) on SBS and SBS On Demand, with an encore from 1.00pm.
Held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., the draw marks a major moment in the lead-up to the largest FIFA World Cup in history as Australia, along with 41 other nations, discover their group-stage matches to be contested at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The draw will bring together FIFA President Gianni Infantino, team coaches and officials, ambassadors, fans representing the tournament’s Host Cities and global media representatives, as well as former players and FIFA legends who will guide the proceedings and reveal each group.
The 48 qualified teams (six yet to be determined) will be allocated into 12 groups of four.
When the tournament commences on 11 June next year, each group will play a round robin to determine which teams will qualify for the knockout rounds. The top two teams in each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32.
The Socceroos, currently ranked 26th in the world, will find out who stands between them and the knockout rounds as their three group opponents are revealed, with the strength of their draw setting the tone for their campaign.
As the hosts, Mexico will automatically be placed in Group A, Canada in Group B, and the USA in Group D, with the rest of the teams currently qualified to be allocated around them during the draw. For the final coveted six slots, the four winners of the UEFA play-offs and the two winners of the inter-confederation play-offs will not be known until these matches take place in March 2026.
FIFA has confirmed the draw procedures for the FIFA World Cup 26™, with hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA placed in pot one alongside the highest-ranked nations.
Team allocation across the four pots of twelve is based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s Ranking of 19 November 2025, with all play-off placeholders in pot four. The draw will proceed from pot one to pot four, applying confederation limits (i.e. one per confederation) to avoid regional overlap in each group, except for UEFA which may have up to two teams. To balance the knockout bracket, the four highest-ranked teams will be kept on opposite pathways, ensuring they cannot meet before the final if they win their groups.
On a huge day for football fans, the encore broadcast of the draw will be followed by SBS’s exclusive broadcast of the final of the inaugural Australian Championship between Marconi Stallions FC and South Melbourne FC on 6 December from 2.30pm (AEDT). live on SBS and SBS on Demand.
The Australian Championship, featuring eight foundation clubs and eight NPL premiers from across the country, launched in October and will crown its first winner this Saturday.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ on SBS:
From 11 June 2026, the world will be gripped by football fever, and as the exclusive broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, SBS will take audiences straight to the heart of North America with unmatched access, world-class commentary and a trusted team of football experts. SBS will deliver over 550 hours of coverage, including every match live in HD, replays, highlights and exclusive pitch-side crosses during the Socceroos’ campaign.
Hosted across 3 countries, the tournament will span sixteen cities and feature a record-breaking 104 matches in an expanded 48 team format.
On SBS On Demand, people can explore the tournament their way through a dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub — the central destination for live matches, catch-up, classic moments and rich behind-the-scenes stories.
Across digital and social platforms, SBS Sport will amplify the action with bold, engaging storytelling both on and off the pitch, with a sharp focus on the Socceroos.
Rounding out the experience is FIFA+, a dedicated FAST channel offering around-the-clock FIFA content and global football storytelling from both the men’s and women’s game, creating a true home for fans of the world game.
Hyundai, Macca’s, Rexona, Hisense, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi will support the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ as SBS official broadcast partners.
For full details about FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw Live: SBS Sport
11 June – 19 July 2026 watch all 104 games of the FIFA World Cup 26™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Media Release – SBS
Link to SBS on Demand HERE
TV Central SBS content HERE
SBS to Broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Draw Live this Saturday 6 December
