The highly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for what promises to be the largest and most inclusive tournament in history. The event, however, was largely dominated by the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a move that sparked considerable discussion.
The draw itself revealed some potentially favorable paths for the big teams. The United States, co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada, was drawn into Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of the European Playoff C. This avoided some of the tougher potential matchups, such as facing Norway or Uruguay. Mexico will face South Africa, South Korea and a UEFA Playoff winner. Canada will play Qatar, Switzerland and a UEFA Playoff winner.
Other notable group pairings include Brazil in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland; Argentina in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan; and England in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. France, the 2018 World Cup champions, landed in Group I with Senegal, Norway and a FIFA Playoff winner.
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, divided into 12 groups of four. This expansion promises greater global representation and opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the world's biggest stage. Four countries, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, are set to make their World Cup debuts.
Despite the excitement surrounding the draw, the event was overshadowed by the presence of President Trump and the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the award, citing his efforts to broker peace agreements. "You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way" Infantino said. Trump, in turn, praised Infantino and highlighted the record-breaking ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup.
The decision to award Trump the Peace Prize drew mixed reactions. While some lauded the recognition of his diplomatic efforts, others criticized FIFA for injecting politics into sports and questioned the timing of the award, given the Trump administration's policies on immigration and other sensitive issues.
The draw also brought together leaders from the three host nations. Trump met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss trade and other issues. All three leaders appeared on stage at the Kennedy Center, underscoring the collaborative effort required to host an event of this magnitude.
With the groups now set, anticipation builds for the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, 2026, when Mexico will face South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. While the draw provided a roadmap for the competing nations, the focus, for now, remains on the controversy surrounding Trump's participation and the FIFA Peace Prize.
