It was almost impossible for the US to demand Let’s draw better in 2026 world cup.
The co-hosts will be grouped with the winners of the European play-offs between Paraguay, Australia, Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania in Friday’s draw, and should be expected to remain in their own party until at least the round of 32, with President Donald Trump in attendance in Washington.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino will not take anything for granted, but with no country ranked in the top 20 of FIFA’s rankings, it would be a huge disappointment if his side did not advance to the top two of Group D or through the safety net of third place, their best-placed finish in qualifying.
Mexico, another co-host, is also hoping to advance from a group that includes South Africa, South Korea, Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland.
If four-time world champions Italy qualify through the play-offs, the group for third co-host Canada could become much more difficult. Canada, which has never won a World Cup, also drew with Qatar and Switzerland.
Supersized World Cup produces harmless draws
The co-sponsor lottery was relatively favorable because Super large 48 teams World Cup, increased from 32 teams.
With so many teams and a seed draw, it was natural for the biggest countries to be separated early on.
There was no clear “group of death”.
France was drawn with Senegal, Norway, Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq.
England are in fourth place, followed by Croatia, Ghana and Panama in tenth place.
The group phase may come as a shock, but it’s hard to see the real danger at stake for the higher-seeded teams.
Defending champion Argentina only has to go through Algeria, Austria and Jordan, while European champion Spain has to go through Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
But Spain coach Luis de la Fuente insisted the danger was always present.
“People think there’s an easy group, but it’s a very similar level,” de la Fuente said. “This will be a historic World Cup because there will be an exceptional level throughout all the rounds. These matches will force us to play at our best.”
some notable matches
Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals and were one of the talking points of the last World Cup. They also have a chance to play against the powerful Brazil in their first match next year.
Morocco coach Walid Reglagui said it would be “one of the most amazing matches”.
“We want to aim to win the group or at least advance to the next stage,” he told TV Globo. “Everyone wants us to win since the 2022 World Cup.”
England vs Croatia is a repeat of the 2018 semi-final. Croatia won this time and advanced to the semi-finals in 2022 as well. England are one of the favorites to win next year’s championship having won the European Championship finals consecutively.
One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history will be repeated when France takes on Senegal. Senegal defeated then-champion France 1-0 in 2002.
France coach Didier Deschamps said: “We know this is a very tough group. We can’t afford to rest.”
A great trial for the weak
Tiny Curacao And Cape Verde will be sharing the stage with the powerhouses of international football.
Curacao, the smallest country in history to qualify for the World Cup, will face four-time champions Germany. Cape Verde is the third smallest country to qualify, in the same group as Spain.
Scotland face a familiar opponent in Brazil in their first World Cup since 1998. The two countries have met four times before in the sport’s biggest tournament, in 1974, 1982, 1990 and 1998, with Scotland failing to win each time.
The Scots were also drawn with Morocco in 1998 and will face them again.
Haiti advances through Group C.
There is a possibility that Messi and Ronaldo will face off against each other
with Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo He is on track to set a new record by appearing in six World Cups.
If Argentina and Portugal win their respective groups, the earliest the two giants can meet would be in the quarterfinals in Kansas City.
Messi will lead Argentina to glory in 2022, ending their long wait to win the World Cup.
Ronaldo is still waiting to win the only major trophy that has eluded him so far, and given that he will be 41 when the tournament begins, this is surely his last chance.
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