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FIFA’s World Cup Matchups Will Be Announced Friday. Here’s What to Know About the Draw
The 48-team World Cup draw in Washington faces political tensions with Iran's boycott and will seed teams into 12 groups ahead of the tournament next June, FIFA said.
- On Friday in Washington, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino will be joined by US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw, highlighting Trump's prominent role at the Kennedy Center ceremony.
- Infantino's close rapport with Trump has prompted expectations the US President will receive the first FIFA Peace Prize as he highlights the World Cup during his second presidency and the US 250th anniversary next year.
- The expanded 48-team tournament will be drawn into 12 groups, with first-time qualifiers Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curacao, and the opening match at Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, before the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, next year.
- Iran announced it will boycott the draw after US authorities refused visas to several delegation members, and Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, urged FIFA to press Washington over the decision.
- With 11 of 16 venues in the United States, hosting concentration raises geopolitical tensions, and Donald Trump has threatened to move matches from Democratic-run cities if conditions are deemed `unsafe`.
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79 Articles
79 Articles
Which teams meet in the preliminary round at the 2026 World Cup - and why is there an exception in Europe? A look at the drawpots for the FIFA Gala in Washington.
ABC FOX Montana+34 Reposted by 34 other sources
World Cup draw starts countdown to 2026 finals with Trump presiding
The countdown to the first 48-team World Cup begins in earnest on Friday as the draw for the 2026 finals takes place in Washington, with Donald Trump set to dominate much of the attention.
·Missoula, United States
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Fifa President Gianni Infantino will stage the two-part World Cup draw starting on Friday with super-model Heidi Klum – and Donald Trump will probably receive his Peace Prize. Austria, however, is amazed by his historic World Cup jersey.
·Vienna, Austria
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources79
Leaning Left18Leaning Right13Center19Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center
38% Center
L 36%
C 38%
R 26%
Factuality
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