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Washington, D.C. – The 2026 World Cup Draw took place on Friday, December 5th, at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The draw set the stage for the competition, with 48 nations learning their Group Stage fate. The event was, however, significantly overshadowed by the presentation of a major political award. The schedule and specific match venues will be announced later by FIFA.
Key Matchups and Group Dynamics
The draw results revealed several intriguing matchups:
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Group B features Canada and Switzerland, set alongside Qatar and the winner of a European Playoff (which includes Italy).
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Group C pits five-time champion Brazil against Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti.
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Group D sees the USA drawn with Australia and Paraguay, plus a European Playoff winner.
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Group G will feature Belgium and Egypt, alongside Iran and New Zealand.
The groups, determined by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and other dignitaries, will guide the initial path for all participating nations.
Controversy: Trump Receives Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize
The non-sporting highlight of the event was the presentation of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, was the recipient. Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, presented him with the award, praising Trump’s efforts toward peace in the Middle East and globally. Infantino stated that Trump was deserving of the inaugural prize, noting that such dedication is “expected of a global leader.”
In his acceptance speech, Trump called the award one of the greatest honors of his life. He claimed his actions had “saved millions of lives,” asserting that the Middle East is now a “safer place” and the US has become an “attractive country.”
The Peace Prize in Political Context
The award follows high-profile diplomatic activity by the Trump administration. Infantino had previously suggested Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating a ceasefire in Gaza. While this year’s Nobel went to María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, she notably dedicated her prize to Trump.
The President reiterated his belief that he is “worthy of receiving” the prize, claiming to have “settled eight wars” and announcing a “ninth war is on the way.” The award comes as the administration seeks to end the conflict in Ukraine, but simultaneously faces scrutiny over heightened anti-drug operations in the Caribbean and strict new immigration policies.
The presentation of the prize transformed the 2026 World Cup Draw into a major geopolitical news story, underscoring the merging of global sports and politics.
Full 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw
| Group | Teams |
| A | Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Europe Playoff D (Denmark, Macedonia, Czechia, Ireland) |
| B | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Europe Playoff A (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia) |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti |
| D | USA, Australia, Paraguay, Europe Playoff C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo) |
| E | Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Europe Playoff B (Sweden, Ukraine, Poland, and Albania) |
| G | Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff Two (Iraq – Bolivia – Suriname) |
| J | Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA Playoff One (Congo, Jamaica, and Caledonia) |
| L | England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana |
