FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw: Trump Attends Gala Event As Countries Learn Their Opponents
All around the globe, eyes focused Friday on the stage where World Cup paths were sorted, nations’ names chosen one by one in a draw that determined Argentina and Lionel Messi will start their title defense against Algeria and the U.S. will open against Paraguay. Twenty-seven months after qualifying began, teams from five-time champion Brazil to newcomers Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan learned their group-stage opponents in the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament that starts June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold up country names during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin
US President Donald Trump holds up the name of the USA during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Jia Haocheng/Pool Photo via AP
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Evan Vucci
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum holds up the team name of Mexico during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Evan Vucci
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge shows Algeria during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough, Pool
Former NFL player Tom Brady holds up the name of England during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Jia Haocheng/Pool Photo via AP
Broadcaster Samantha Johnson walks on stage at the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Jia Haocheng/Pool Photo via AP
Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal holds up the team name of Ecuador during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: APJacquelyn Martin
Singer Robbie Williams and singer and actor Nicole Scherzinger perform during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: APJacquelyn Martin
Model Heidi Klum watches as Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni returns the World Cup trophy to the stage during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP
US President Donald Trump reaches in a bowl to gather a ball during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Jia Haocheng/Pool Photo via AP
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
US President Donald Trump stands on stage after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin
US President Donald Trump speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington. | Photo: Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP
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