ANALYSIS
2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Here's how the USMNT group was seeded in a ceremony that included a peace prize for Trump
This Friday, December 5 in Washington, D.C., fate decided the matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here are the details of the day, minute by minute.
2026 FIFA World Cup draw
The sports world looked to Washington on Friday for the draw for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Representatives of the soccer world, journalists and even President Donald Trump attended the event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to witness the day that defined next year's matches in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
It was a double prize day for the U.S. On one hand, the USMNT will face three accessible opponents: Paraguay, Australia and a yet-to-be-determined opponent to be defined in the playoffs between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
Before knowing the opponents, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino had assured that the result would not change the team's preparation for the World Cup finals. "We are going to be focused on us," he said before praising the team's "very good" last few months and assuring that "we’re still improving."
The second U.S. award went to President Trump. The president received the first FIFA Peace Award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Created in December, the award seeks, according to the organization, to highlight those who "through their unwavering commitment and their special actions, have helped to unite people all over the world in peace."
Here's how we covered the ceremony live. All times are Eastern Time (EST).
This is how the U.S. group ended up
The USMNT will face Group D in the group stage against Paraguay, Australia and an opponent yet to be defined. The latter will be decided in the playoffs between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
Paraguay joins USA and Australia in Group D
Australia, USA rival
Australia was drawn for the group headed by the United States. Two other opponents are still to be determined.
The United States remains in Group D
The USMNT will play in Pool D. Canada in Group B and Mexico in Group A.
THIS IS HOW TRUMP RECEIVED THE FIFA PEACE AWARD
TRUMP RECEIVES FIFA PEACE AWARD
FIFA awards President Trump the brand-new Peace Prize, a distinction created in November by soccer’s top governing body.
What are the 'bombos' or pots? Which one is the U.S. in?
From the pots, the groups are drawn. So, for example, the United States (draw 1) may be placed in the next phase with Croatia (draw 2), Panama (draw 3) and Haiti (draw 4).
The 48 national teams will be divided into 12 groups of four participants each.
- Pot 1: United States, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria and Australia.
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, four UEFA playoff winners (Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania, Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, Romania, Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark and North Macedonia) and two intercontinental playoff winners (New Caledonia, Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq).
Pochettino on the USMNT: "The last few months were very good but I think we’re still improving"
"We are so full of adrenaline now, waiting for the draw, to know your opening," the national team coach told Fox minutes before the ceremony began. At the same time, he stressed the importance of enjoying the moment, "because it's a unique event."
On whether the result of the draw will change the team's preparation, the Argentine maintained that not "too much." They will prepare as they do for all matches, including for the March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
"Still I think we need to develop and evolve in the way we want to play," he added. "The last few months were very good but I think we’re still improving."
"We are going to be focused on us."
The ceremony has begun!
What the group stage draw will look like
Although there are still six countries that will be in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup, they will enter through the play-offs, the 48 national teams will be divided into 12 groups of four participants each.
During the draw, four pots will be placed in which there will be 12 national teams in each of them. Each pot will contribute one national team to complete the 12 groups.
As hosts, United States (which will head Group D), Mexico (in Group A) and Canada (assigned to Group B) will be in Pot 1, as will the four national teams with the highest FIFA rankings: Spain, Argentina, France and England. This seeding ensures they will not be able to face each other until the semifinals.
What time does the group stage draw begin?
- 9 a.m. in Los Angeles
- 11 a.m. in Dallas
- 11 a.m. in Mexico City, Mexico
- 12 p.m. in Bogotá, Colombia
- 2 p.m. in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 6 p.m. in Madrid, Spain
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