WASHINGTON (AP) — The highly anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has set the stage for dramatic opening matches, with defending champions Argentina led by Lionel Messi scheduled to face Algeria in their inaugural title defense match. The Argentinian squad will compete in a group that also includes Austria, marking the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying tournament.
The United States national team, drawn on Friday, will commence their campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. This matchup follows Mexico’s opening game against South Africa the previous day. The U.S. team, which achieved a semifinal placement in the inaugural 1930 World Cup and reached the quarterfinals only once since then in 2002, will be looking to make history on home soil.
The ceremonial draw event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured unprecedented political participation, with U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney personally selecting their respective nations’ balls from the drawing bowls. The elaborate ceremony extended nearly as long as a regulation soccer match, with the actual draw proceedings for the expanded 48-nation tournament commencing in the 87th minute.
Despite wintry conditions with falling snow, soccer officials and international celebrities filled the prestigious venue exactly 189 days before the expanded tournament’s kickoff. The 104-game competition will be the largest in World Cup history, with early morning lines forming outside the complex as workers and media personnel passed through rigorous Secret Service security protocols.
In a controversial moment during the ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented President Trump with the organization’s inaugural Peace Prize, bestowing upon him a substantial gold-colored trophy and medal suspended from a blue ribbon. Trump, who has previously campaigned for Nobel Peace Prize recognition, accepted the honor stating, “This is truly one of the great honors of my life.” Infantino offered extensive praise to the American president during the presentation.
The event featured a star-studded ensemble of retired sports legends, including NFL icon Tom Brady, NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, NHL great Wayne Gretzky, and three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, all assisting former England captain Rio Ferdinand in conducting the ceremonial proceedings.
The complete tournament field includes all 11 highest-ranked international teams, with 12th-ranked Italy among 22 nations competing in playoffs for the final six tournament berths to be determined on March 31. All quarterfinal matches and beyond will be hosted exclusively in the United States across 11 NFL stadiums, with specific venue assignments and kickoff times scheduled for announcement on Saturday.