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Argentina to open World Cup against Algeria, US against Paraguay
The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to North America with Argentina, defending champions led by Messi, facing Algeria in the opening match, FIFA confirmed during the draw.
- Dec 5, 2025: Argentina and Lionel Messi will begin their World Cup title defense against Algeria in Group J, also facing Austria and Jordan.
- The ceremony featured President Donald Trump receiving a FIFA Peace Prize and legendary athletes, including Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky, selecting balls during the live draw at the Kennedy Center.
- The tournament's scale sees 48 nations and 104 matches across 11 NFL stadiums, three venues in Mexico and two in Canada, with quarter-finals and the July 19 final at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Scaloni also praised Algeria coach Vladimir Petković as `great one` and said `On paper, it's a group where we have to give our all to advance to the next round`, with the runner-up facing Argentina in the Round of 32.
- The U.S. was drawn to open against Paraguay, with President Donald Trump pulling the U.S. name; 42 teams are determined while 22 nations compete in playoffs for six berths decided March 31.
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Lionel Messi’s Argentina get easy group as World Cup draw throws opening-round blockbusters
World Cup 2026 Draw: Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA peace prize and gave a surprisingly short speech, in an American interlude, while all attention was on Argentina who were placed with Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the same group
·India
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The draw for the first round of the 2026 World Cup took place in Washington, D.C., on Friday, December 5, 2025. And chance has been somewhat teasing with the nine – and potentially ten – African selections. Twenty-four years after their huge performance in Asia, the Senegalese Lions will return to the team of France. Algeria will challenge the Argentine world champions of Lionel Messi, while Morocco will rub itself again with the prestigious Bra…
·Paris, France
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Total News Sources31
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center20Last UpdatedBias Distribution77% Center
Bias Distribution
- 77% of the sources are Center
77% Center
15%
C 77%
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