Local soccer fans gather for highly anticipated World Cup draw

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Fans across the world eagerly awaited to see where their country would be placed in the 2026 World Cup drawing Friday morning, Dec. 5. 

After four years, the international tournament is coming back this summer, with North America playing host for the events. Stars from all over the globe made their way to the Kennedy Center in D.C. as Team USA found out who they would be sharing the pitch with next summer. 

We call it soccer; most of the world calls it football. But everyone calls it the World Cup. The sport's biggest prize. And the 2026 edition kicks off in Mexico City on June 11. 

With the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, this year's drawing was a little different than years past, with some countries still having to win their way in. 

It started off with President Donald Trump, alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, placing the host nations in their respective groups. Then, an All-Star panel of North American athletes, including Aaron Judge, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O'Neil and Tom Brady laid out the remainder of the tournament. This is where heavy favorites like Spain, France, Germany and the defending champs, Argentina, found out their opponents. 

As for the United States, they are in Group D, which means some favorable matchups for the red, white, and blue. 

Team USA starts its World Cup journey against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. Joining them in Group D is the team from down under, Australia, who the United States will face in Seattle on June 19. And to round out the group will be the winner of the playoff between Turkey, Slovakia, Romania and Kosovo. 

Here at home, the excitement is building in Milwaukee as local soccer fans are getting ready. 

"The last World Cup, we were actually in Spain," said soccer fan Michelle Palmer. "So, we kind of wanted to match that environment for this, so here we are."

If seeing a World Cup game live is part of your bucket list, you may want to pack up a suitcase. 

The United States will play all of its group stage games on the west coast. But if you're looking for something a little closer, the closest host city is Kansas City. 

The World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.