Copa do Brasil draw to feature stars beyond football, see line-up

FIFA has announced that Rio Ferdinand, former England captain and Manchester United legend, will be responsible for conducting the historic draw of 48 national teams, alongside award-winning presenter Samantha Johnson, this Friday, December 5, 2025.

But the event will also feature a team of global sports stars, beyond football, such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Eli Manning, who will serve as the red carpet host.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, will host the Final Draw for the 2026 World Cup.

Blending spectacle, entertainment, and football, the draw will reveal the group stage matchups for the first World Cup with 48 teams, officially ushering in a new era for the tournament.

“Conducting this historic draw is an unbelievable honor,” said Ferdinand.

“As a player, I lived for moments like these. Now I am honored to play a special role with an incredible team to reveal the 12 groups of four teams that the whole world is waiting to discover,” he added.

Icons from other American sports will also take the stage, making the event even more unique.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, hockey’s greatest ever Wayne Gretzky, and seven-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge will join the draw’s line-up of assistants, connecting global football to North America’s most celebrated sports.

“Participating in the FIFA World Cup Final Draw is an incredible honor; it’s the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of,” said Brady.

“When you’ve represented your country, you understand how much moments like this mean,” said O’Neal. “The World Cup is one of the greatest stages in sports, and being part of the draw is a source of great pride,” he added.

“I follow football closely, so being at the draw is something very special,” commented Judge. “With the final being in New York/New Jersey — exactly where I play — I can’t wait to find out who will fight for the title in our backyard.”

“Football has a unique power to unite people from all over the world and generate positive impact,” said Gretzky. “I’m excited to be part of the draw that will decide the fate of the teams. It will be an unforgettable moment for me.”

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning will also participate with his usual charisma as the red carpet host.

The draw will be broadcast live on FIFA.com and by FIFA’s international partners starting at 12 p.m. Brasília time.

Biographies

Tom Brady – Considered one of the greatest athletes in history, Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and record-holder among quarterbacks.

After 18 division titles and ten finals appearances, he became one of the most competitive figures in sports. Off the field, he is an entrepreneur, author, FOX Sports commentator, and philanthropist.

Rio Ferdinand – Former defender and one of the most influential voices in world football, Ferdinand played 81 matches for the England national team and won virtually every major title with Manchester United.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. Since retiring, he has become a presenter and develops award-winning social projects.

Wayne Gretzky – Considered the greatest hockey player in history, Gretzky holds multiple NHL records, including most assists and points.

A four-time Stanley Cup champion, he continues to influence the sport as a coach, executive, commentator, and leader in global development initiatives.

Samantha Johnson – Award-winning journalist and presenter with over 20 years of international experience, Johnson has already hosted events such as the 2022 World Cup Final Draw and the 2025 Club World Cup draw.

She has also moderated UN debates and presented original programs for Al Jazeera English.

Aaron Judge – MLB star and captain of the New York Yankees, Judge is a seven-time All-Star and three-time American League MVP.

He holds the AL single-season home run record (62) and is recognized for his leadership, work ethic, and social impact through his ALL RISE foundation.

Eli Manning – A New York Giants idol for 16 years, Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and twice named MVP of the final.

Famous for his resilience, leadership, and tactical intelligence, he has become one of the NFL’s greatest legends.

Shaquille O’Neal – One of the most successful athletes ever — both on and off the court. Four-time NBA champion, 15-time All-Star, MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Hall of Famer, he has become a businessman, TV analyst, DJ, and global brand investor.

He is currently an analyst on the award-winning show “Inside the NBA” and a shareholder of Authentic Brands Group, which owns the rights to iconic brands associated with names like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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