Saturday 06 / December / 2025
The 2026 World Cup draw for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico was an event that was very much in danger of losing sight of its true purpose. Across the 120-minute spectacle, US President Donald Trump won a FIFA Peace Prize, German supermodel Heidi Klum and co-host Kevin Hart navigated a number of awkward exchanges and FIFA President Gianni Infantino called FIFA "the official happiness provider for humanity."
Just shy of 90 minutes into the event, the actual business of the day began. With North American sports stars Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O'Neal and Aaron Judge completing the draw, the football dreams of nations across the world became more tangible.
Germany were drawn in Group E with Ecuador, 2023 African Cup of Nations winners Cote d'Ivoire and debutants Curacao, who will be Germany's first opponents on June 14 in either Houston or Philadelphia. If Germany win their group, they may face France in the Round of 16.
"It's not a super easy group, but it's a doable one, and we want to come out on top," Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann told ZDF afterwards. Speaking to MagentaTV, Nagelsmann later added: "It's good that we're being challenged. That you don't have three easy opponents, that you have to push yourself and go to your limits."
Some draw highlights:
Defending champions Argentina will face Ralf Rangnick's Austria, Algeria and debutants Jordan in Group J.
France are in Group I with Senegal, Norway and playoff winner two (Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname).
Thomas Tuchel's England are in Group L with Croatia, Panama and Ghana.
Iran, whose confederation reversed a decision to boycott the draw as a result of visa issues, were drawn with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G.
The 2026 World Cup opening game will be Mexico against South Africa on June 11.
