"After weeks of a politically charged build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw and amid the presence of United States President Donald Trump, the focus swiftly shifted to football as the fate of the participating teams was unveiled at the event in Washington, DC. President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were all in attendance as the leaders of the three co-host nations as the US capital played host for the event at the Kennedy Center on Friday."
"However, for the 42 qualified teams, their officials and fans, it was the latter half of the event that carried more weight as the 12 tournament groups of four teams each were drawn. The World Cup's first game will be a throwback to 2010 when Mexico take on South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City in a replay of the 2010 edition's tournament opener."
"Mexico's group, A which also includes South Korea and one of Denmark, Macedonia, Czechia or Ireland will be one of the toughest of the 12. Team USA are placed alongside Australia, Paraguay, plus one of Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo. Canada, too, face the challenging task of making it out of a group comprising Switzerland, Qatar and one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia."
The 2026 World Cup draw set Mexico versus South Africa as the opening match on June 11 in Mexico City, mirroring the 2010 tournament opener. United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attended the ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the new FIFA Peace Prize to the US president. Organisers drew 12 groups of four teams, assigning notable challenges: Mexico in a tough Group A with South Korea and one of several European qualifiers; the USA with Australia, Paraguay and a European qualifier; Canada paired with Switzerland and Qatar plus a European qualifier.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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