Argentina, Spain benefit from favourable 2026 world cup draw as tournament countdown begins
The road to the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup officially took shape on Friday as the draw for the first 48-team global finals was held in a glittering ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Defending champions Argentina and European powerhouses Spain emerged among the day’s biggest beneficiaries, both placed in groups widely regarded as manageable.
The high-profile event, attended by political leaders, sports icons and global entertainers, also saw U.S. President Donald Trump receive FIFA’s newly created Peace Prize, a moment that briefly overshadowed the football proceedings themselves.
Argentina, aiming to retain the crown they lifted in Qatar in 2022, were drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and tournament newcomers Jordan.
Lionel Messi, still central to the team’s plans, is expected to lead the title holders through what analysts describe as a gentle opening phase.
Spain, freshly crowned European champions, will begin their quest in Group H.
They open against debutants Cape Verde before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay—teams considered competitive but beatable for a side of Spain’s current stature.
England manager Thomas Tuchel will also feel encouraged by the outcome.
His side headline Group L, with 2018 runners-up Croatia posing the main challenge, while Ghana and Panama complete the pool.
The draw did not spare everyone. France, two-time world champions, landed in a tricky Group I that pits them against Senegal, Norway led by star striker Erling Haaland, and a playoff winner from Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
This edition marks the biggest expansion in tournament history—growing from 32 to 48 teams and from 64 matches to an unprecedented 104.
The United States will stage the majority of fixtures, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Mexico and Canada will host three and two venues respectively.
President Trump, accepting the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, praised trilateral cooperation between the host nations, describing the honour as “one of the greatest recognitions of my life.”
He further claimed the world was “safer” than a year earlier, drawing applause from supporters in the hall.
Despite snow and freezing temperatures outside, the ceremony delivered Hollywood-level shine indoors.
Supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart served as co-hosts, while performances by the Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli added musical flair.
Sports icons Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal assisted with the draw, lending further star power to the evening.
Co-hosts Mexico will feature in the tournament’s opening match on June 11 at the historic Estadio Azteca, where they face South Africa in Group A.
Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, were paired with Morocco—semi-final surprise packages in 2022—in what many consider one of the early headline groups. Scotland and Haiti complete Group C.
Germany will contend with Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao in Group E, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal meet Uzbekistan, Colombia, and a playoff entrant in Group K.
Infantino, speaking after the draw, proclaimed that the upcoming finals would be “the greatest World Cup ever,” likening the 104-match schedule to “104 Super Bowls in a single month.”
The top two teams from each group will progress to the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed sides.
Venues and precise kickoff times will be confirmed on Saturday, following logistical adjustments by tournament organisers.
Six qualification slots remain open and will be decided through intercontinental playoffs in March.
FULL LIST: 2026 WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Playoff team
Group B: Canada, Playoff team, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Playoff team
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Playoff team, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Playoff team, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Playoff team, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
