WASHINGTON: Holders Argentina and main contenders Spain have been handed form attracts for the 2026 World Cup in a star-studded ceremony at which United States President Donald Trump acquired FIFA’s new peace prize.
The occasion on the Kennedy Middle in Washington began the ultimate countdown to the event, six months out from the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will start their defence of the trophy they received in Qatar in 2022 by dealing with Algeria, and also will play Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J.
Closely fancied Spain, the European champions, will kick off their marketing campaign towards first-time qualifiers Cape Verde earlier than additionally taking over Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
“All of the reward is not going to weaken us, fairly the alternative,” insisted Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
“We wish to do one thing large at this World Cup, and which means ensuring we do properly within the group stage, then carrying on from there.”
Thomas Tuchel’s England, looking for to win the World Cup for the primary time since 1966, will hope to win Group L that options crushed 2018 finalists Croatia in addition to Ghana and Panama.
Two-time winners France, in the meantime, face awkward assessments towards Senegal and Erling Haaland’s Norway in Group I, which shall be accomplished by an intercontinental playoff winner from both Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.
For the primary time, the draw was executed in such a method as to make sure the 4 highest-ranked nations have been saved aside – Spain, Argentina, France and England can’t meet earlier than the semi-finals, if all 4 prime their teams.
Nevertheless, the trail to that stage – with an additional knockout spherical now following the group part – seems perilous for among the contenders.
If the highest seeds all end first of their teams, England may, for instance, discover themselves enjoying co-hosts Mexico in Mexico Metropolis within the final 16 after which Brazil within the quarter-finals, earlier than a last-four conflict with Argentina.
