Get ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, folks! It's a moment that has Scotland on the edge of their seats, bracing themselves for a unique and exciting experience.
The Big Draw: A Journey to the Center of Football Excitement
Date: Friday, 5 December
Time: 17:00 GMT
Venue: Kennedy Center, Washington DC
You can catch all the action live on BBC and iPlayer, tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live and Sounds, or follow the text updates, reactions, and in-depth analysis on the BBC Sport website and app.
Imagine Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary assistant, alongside Sepp Blatter, FIFA's secretary-general, revealing the first unseeded country during the 1998 World Cup draw - Scotland! They were placed in Pool A with the mighty Brazil, and the draw continued at a lightning-fast pace, a stark contrast to the endless preambles and on-stage banter we often see today.
In just over 25 minutes, Scotland's fate was sealed. Not only did they learn they'd face Brazil in the opening game in Paris on 10 June, but also that they'd play Norway in Bordeaux six days later and Morocco in Saint-Etienne a week after that. Barry Davies delivered the dates with a matter-of-fact tone on television, and Blatter wrapped up the entire draw in just over 31 minutes, from the first nation to the last.
Fast forward to the present, and the upcoming World Cup draw show on Friday promises to be a spectacle. Presidents Trump and Mulraney, along with celebrities like Robbie Williams and the Village People, will be in attendance. Get ready for some grown-up fun, and perhaps a little nausea-inducing entertainment too!
FIFA is expecting a record-breaking television audience, surpassing the previous high of 2.7 billion viewers. This World Cup is not just big; it's bigly, as some might say. We'll know the initial matchups within a few hours, but it'll be a day later before we have all the details - dates, cities, kick-off times, ranging from 17:00, 20:00, 23:00, and 02:00 BST.
Amidst the complexity, there's a simple truth: if Scotland draws a host nation - USA, Canada, or Mexico - they'll get a full picture of their journey on the night of the draw. No waiting until Saturday for the full reveal.
If Scotland is drawn with Mexico, they'll kick off the tournament against the Mexicans on 11 June at the Azteca Stadium, just like in France '98. Their other two games will be in Atlanta on 18 June and Guadalupe on 24 June.
A draw with Canada would mean an opener in San Francisco on 13 June, followed by a match against Canada in Vancouver on 18 June and then a trip to Seattle to face their pot four opponent.
If it's the USA, it's America versus Scotland on 12 June in California, with the remaining games against pot four and pot two teams also in San Francisco. If you're planning to attend, forget the flowers in your hair; focus on the fury in your fingertips as you book those flights and accommodations online!
Brace yourself for the most enormous World Cup ever in terms of nations, games, travel, and attendance. It's not just the miles and the revenues heading into FIFA's coffers; it's also the eye-watering costs of getting there, staying there, and enjoying the games if you're lucky enough to get a ticket.
If Scotland doesn't draw a host nation, we'll have to wait until Saturday for the full unveiling of World Cup 2026. Last time Scotland was involved, it took less than half an hour. This time, it could be a 24-hour wait. Such is the beauty of the beautiful game.
All eyes are on the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, where the game of anticipation and speculation will come to an end. It's been a thrilling ride since Kenny McLean's goal against Denmark at Hampden last month, a goal that resonated around the world, akin to Scottish football's moon landing.
The best-case and worst-case scenarios have been a fun game to play. Each group can have a maximum of two UEFA teams but only one from the other five confederations. Some might wish for USA, Australia, and Cape Verde, while others might dread England (how dreary to travel so far to play the nation next door), Morocco, and Jordan.
The devoted fans have their eyes on the danger nations from South America and Africa. Curacao from CONCACAF has been a topic of discussion, a first in Scottish football history. Curacao is coached by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat.
Part of the allure of this World Cup is the pub talk - football enthusiasts wondering if it's best to get Haiti from pot four due to Trump's banned list, potentially leading to more tickets for the Tartan Army.
Scotland's fans will travel, with or without tickets. They'll be there, wherever 'there' may be. Beating Denmark in one of the greatest nights in Scottish football history was just the beginning of this adventure. Now, it's time for the next chapter.
It might be a long and tiresome wait in Washington on Friday, with the potential for gaudy and embarrassing moments. But it's a promised land for Scotland, a place they've longed for almost 30 years. It's a seat at the top table, a first World Cup for the youth, and a return for the older fans to a place they may have thought was out of reach. This is not a dream; it's a reality, folks!
