Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Shaq, Wayne Gretzky Among 2026 World Cup Draw Assistants

Friday's World Cup draw to determine the groupings for this summer's event will have a star-studded cast of assistants.

According to FIFA, NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will take the stage as part of the festivities.

Former NFL star Eli Manning will also serve as a red-carpet host, while legendary footballer Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson will conduct the draw.

Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and an announcer for Fox Sports, was a seven-time champion and three-time MVP during his NFL career.

"Being part of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup is an incredible honor—it's the kind of global stage every athlete dreams of," he said. "I'm excited to help set the path for a tournament that brings the world together like nothing else."

O'Neal was a four-time champion and three-time MVP during his NBA career.

"When you've worn your country's colors, you understand how much moments like this mean," he said. "The World Cup is one of the biggest stages in sports, and being part of the final draw is something in which I take a lot of pride. It's such a special moment for the players and for the fans around the world, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

Gretzky is undeniably the most dominant player in the history of his sport. He was a four-time Stanley Cup winner, a nine-time Hart Memorial winner and is the sport's all-time leader in assists (1,963) and points (2,857), while ranking second in all-time goals (894) behind only Alex Ovechkin (909). Nobody is within 900 points of his all-time points record, however, a remarkable gulf.

"Soccer has a unique power to unite people from all over the world and create a positive impact, and I cannot wait to see this happening in North America next year and beyond, when we host the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup," Gretzky said. "I'm thrilled to be part of the draw that will decide the fate of the participating teams—and stir emotions across the world. This will be an unforgettable moment for me personally."

Finally, Judge is a three-time MVP who has recorded 50 or more homers four times in his career.

"I follow soccer closely, so being part of the World Cup draw is incredibly special," he said. "With the final set for New York New Jersey—right where I play—I can't wait to see which teams will be battling for the title in our own backyard."

The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.