Teams map route to 2026 World Cup triumph after Trump dominates draw event
The route to success at the 2026 World Cup is now clear after teams learned their group placements and knockout progression possibilities at Fridays draw in Washington, an event largely overshadowed by Donald Trump.
The United States President accepted FIFAs latest peace award on stage at the Kennedy Center before the draw for the inaugural 48-team World Cup, which provided favourable openings for champions Argentina and highly rated Spain especially.
Although group compositions were announced alongside potential knockout paths for all contenders, the exact fixture list for the tournament will be revealed later on Saturday.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino will disclose the stadiums and start times for every match from 1700 GMT, allowing teams to refine their strategies with just six months remaining before the World Cup begins on June 11.
Lionel Messis Argentina will commence their defence of the title secured in Qatar in 2022 against Algeria, followed by matches versus Austria and newcomers Jordan in Group J.
Current European champions Spain will start against newcomers Cape Verde, then face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
We aim to achieve something significant at this World Cup, which involves performing strongly in the group phase and building from that point, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente commented.
Thomas Tuchels England, aiming for a first World Cup victory since 1966, should lead Group L over 2018 runners-up Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Twice champions France encounter challenging fixtures versus Senegal and Erling Haalands Norway in Group I, rounded out by a play-off qualifier from Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
For the first occasion, the draw process separated the four top-ranked countries, meaning Spain, Argentina, France, and England avoid clashes until the semi-finals assuming they win their groups.
Stay grounded
That said, reaching that level, now including an additional round after the groups, appears challenging.
Should the leading teams progress from their groups, England might confront co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City during the last 16, followed by Brazil in the quarter-finals, and potentially Argentina in the semi-finals.
Further potential encounters feature France against Germany in the round of 16 and a quarter-final between Messis Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldos Portugal.
You must not get ahead of yourselves plotting opponents based on group outcomes, whether first or second, Tuchel stressed. Concentrate solely on the group stage, that is the approach.
The competition will span the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, incorporating 16 additional participants beyond the 32 in 2022.
While the USA hosts the majority of fixtures, including the final at MetLife Stadium near New York, three venues are in Mexico and two in Canada.
The curtain-raiser features Mexico versus South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Host countries have faced strained ties since Trumps presidency began, yet he dismissed concerns on Friday.
We have collaborated closely with those nations, and the cooperation, camaraderie, and partnership have been exceptional, Trump stated upon receiving the peace award from Infantino.
Equivalent to 104 Super Bowls
Carlo Ancelottis Brazil and unexpected 2022 semi-finalists Morocco share Group C with Scotland and Haiti, marking the fifth World Cup matchup between Scotland and Brazil.
Germans Group E rivals comprise Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and small Caribbean side Curacao, whereas Portugal confront Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a play-off victor.
The United States secured a straightforward group with Paraguay, Australia, and a European play-off qualifier in Group D.
Our opening match represents the World Cup final, and the subsequent one must follow suit. That mindset is what we intend to cultivate, USA manager Mauricio Pochettino declared.
The leading two sides from each group proceed to the round of 32, supplemented by the top eight third-placed finishers.
It promises to be the finest World Cup to date, Infantino asserted. Imagine 104 Super Bowls compressed into one month, that captures the scale of our endeavour.