World Cup Draw: Argentina to Face Algeria as Teams Prepare for Tournament

The World Cup 2026 draw has set the stage for an exciting tournament, with Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, facing Algeria in their opening match. Teams from around the globe, including Brazil and newcomers like Curaçao, learned their group-stage opponents in this expanded tournament. The event, held at the Kennedy Center, featured notable figures and a celebratory atmosphere. As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see how the tournament unfolds, with Messi's potential participation being a focal point. The tournament kicks off on June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico, promising thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 6, 2025, 09:51 IST

World Cup Draw Highlights

The anticipation for the World Cup is palpable as nations gathered to discover their fates in a draw that revealed Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will kick off their title defense against Algeria.

After 27 months of qualifying matches, teams ranging from the five-time champions Brazil to newcomers like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan learned their group-stage rivals in the expanded tournament featuring 48 nations and 104 matches, set to commence on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old Dutch coach of Curaçao, expressed pride for his island nation, which boasts a population of 150,000, as they prepare to face four-time champions Germany.

The draw ceremony, held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts amidst snowfall in the capital, also saw US President Donald Trump receive a newly established peace prize from FIFA, the governing body of soccer. Trump, along with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, participated in the draw, with Sheinbaum receiving a warmer reception from the audience.

FIFA's pre-draw show, featuring performances from various stars, lasted nearly as long as a standard soccer match, with the actual draw commencing about an hour and a half into the event. Notable figures like Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Aaron Judge, and Wayne Gretzky were present, with New Zealand being the final team drawn.

Tyler Adams, a US midfielder currently playing in England, remarked on the American atmosphere of the event, noting the expectation of halftime shows and celebrity appearances that characterize sports in the US.

Argentina's first match is scheduled for June 16 in either Kansas City, Missouri, or Santa Clara, California, where they will compete in Group J against Austria and Jordan. The Albiceleste had a surprising loss in their 2022 opener against Saudi Arabia but ultimately triumphed over France in the final.

Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, has yet to confirm his participation, but it would be unexpected if he chose not to play in what could be his sixth World Cup.

Coach Lionel Scaloni stated, 'We are just awaiting for him to decide. In principle, everything is going well.'

The US team, which reached the semifinals in the inaugural 1930 World Cup and the quarterfinals in 2002, will begin Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California. They will also face Australia and either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo later in the group stage.

Mexico will host the tournament's opening match at Azteca Stadium on June 11 against South Africa in Group A, a rematch of their 2010 opener. El Tri will also compete against South Korea and finish the first round against one of several European teams.

Currently, 42 teams have secured their spots, while 22 others are vying for six remaining berths, to be decided by March 31.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance to a new round of 32, along with the eight best third-place teams. All matches from the quarterfinals onward will take place in the US, culminating in the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

England, the 1966 champions, will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L. Players from Chelsea and Manchester City have already experienced summer conditions in the US during the Club World Cup.

Brazil, a five-time champion, will start against 2022 semifinalist Morocco, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland in Group C. Coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the challenges of their group.

Spain, the top-ranked team and 2010 champions, will compete against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H, while Germany will follow their match against Curaçao with games against Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

France, a two-time champion, will begin on June 16 against Senegal, facing Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname in Group I, and concluding against Norway, featuring a showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

Cristiano Ronaldo, like Messi, is expected to play in his sixth World Cup, with Portugal set to face Uzbekistan, Colombia, and either Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia in Group K. If both teams win their groups, a quarterfinal clash between Ronaldo and Messi could occur at Arrowhead Stadium.

Other Groups Include:

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and either Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and either Sweden, Ukraine, Albania, or Poland.

No team has successfully defended their title since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and only eight nations have claimed soccer's most prestigious trophy. Italy has four titles, while Uruguay has two.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with a large gold peace prize trophy and a medal, which Trump proudly wore around his neck, expressing that it was one of the greatest honors of his life.