The path for the upcoming World Cup next year was unveiled on Friday through a draw that revealed Argentina and Lionel Messi will commence their title defense against Algeria. The tournament, featuring 48 nations and 104 games, will kick off on June 11 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with teams ranging from Brazil, a five-time champion, to debutants such as Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan discovering their group stage rivals.
Canada, placed in Group B, will be up against Switzerland, 2022 host Qatar, and the victor of a playoff in March involving Italy, Bosnia, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The anticipation was palpable for Curacao, led by 78-year-old Dutchman Dick Advoccat, as they gear up to face four-time champion Germany in their opening match.
During the draw ceremony, FIFA awarded a peace prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, who, alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, selected balls representing their respective countries. The event saw Sheinbaum receiving more applause than Trump. The draw, following a lead-in show almost as lengthy as a soccer match, commenced in the 87th minute with renowned North American athletes like Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal picking team names from the balls.
Argentina, a three-time champion, will kick off their campaign on June 16 in either Kansas City, Missouri, or Santa Clara, California, facing Austria and Jordan in Group J. The U.S. will start their journey in Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by matches against Australia and Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.
Mexico will host the tournament opener against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 in a rematch of the 2010 opener. The tournament format includes 42 confirmed teams and 22 vying for six playoff spots to be decided by March 31.
The top-ranked Spain will meet Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H, while Germany is pitted against Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador in Group E. The tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with all quarterfinal matches onwards taking place in the U.S.