FIFA World Cup 2026: Star Players Get Favorable Draws, Iconic Rivalries Return | Football World Cup Updates
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The highly anticipated draw for the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup took place at the Kennedy Centre, offering a mix of intriguing group-stage matchups and revived rivalries. Top contenders Argentina, Spain, and England have received relatively kind draws, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament.The historic event, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, marks a major milestone ahead of the first World Cup co-hosted by three nations. This edition will feature a record number of teams and introduce 12 groups of four. As teams were drawn, the most anticipated matchups and historical echoes quickly became apparent.Co-hosts Mexico and Canada have been placed in Groups A and B, respectively, alongside other formidable teams. Mexico will face South Africa, South Korea, and a UEFA Playoff winner in Group A, while Canada will take on Switzerland, Qatar, and a UEFA playoff entrant in Group B. Notably, Mexico will revisit World Cup history with South Africa, as the two teams drew 1-1 in the opening match of the 2010 tournament.Brazil and Scotland will meet in Group C, reviving a classic pairing from the 1998 World Cup. Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland were grouped together in 1998, the last time Scotland qualified for the World Cup. The draw presents a challenging path for Scotland, who have never progressed beyond the group stage.Brazil will also face Haiti in their second match, rekindling memories of their 2004 "Game of Peace" friendly in Port-au-Prince, where Ronaldo and Ronaldinho starred in a 6-0 victory. The matchup carries added cultural significance, with an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Haitians now living in Brazil.England was drawn into Group L with Croatia and Panama, a rematch of the 2018 semifinal that Croatia won. Ghana completes the group, setting up an intense battle for survival. Spain and Uruguay, two former champions, headline Group H, one of the toughest groups on paper. France enters Group I with Senegal and Norway, with France and Senegal set to open their campaigns against each other in a repeat of their famous 2002 World Cup clash.South American powerhouses Argentina and Portugal have been placed in Groups J and K, respectively. Argentina will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J, while Portugal will lead Group K alongside Colombia and Uzbekistan.The complete match schedule will be released by FIFA on Saturday, finalizing venues and kick-off times for the biggest World Cup ever staged.
