WASHINGTON: Holders Argentina and leading contenders Spain were handed kind draws for the 2026 World Cup in a star-studded ceremony on Friday which saw US President Donald Trump receive FIFA’s new peace prize.
The event in Washington started the final countdown to the tournament, six months out from the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with much-fancied France among those receiving a harder task.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will begin their defense of the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022 against Algeria, and will also face Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J.
Heavily-fancied Spain, the European champions, will kick off their campaign against first-time qualfiers Cape Verde before also taking on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
Thomas Tuchel’s England will hope to win Group L that features beaten 2018 finalists Croatia as well as Ghana and Panama.
