Post by : Mina Rahman
The excitement builds for the upcoming 48-team World Cup as the draw for the 2026 finals unfolds in Washington, D.C., capturing attention with the presence of former US President Donald Trump.
This groundbreaking North American tournament is set to run from June 11 to July 19, marking the largest World Cup to date, with 16 more teams than the 32 that competed in Qatar 2022.
The draw ceremony, hosted at the Kennedy Center overlooking the Potomac River, promises to be star-studded. Trump, who took on the chairmanship of the Kennedy Center earlier this year, is anticipated to receive the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize, lauded for his endeavors to foster unity and inspire future generations, according to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Co-hosting the event are supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart, with live performances by the Village People, Andrea Bocelli, and Robbie Williams. Sports icons like Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal will lend a hand in the draw process.
Trump has framed the World Cup as a pivotal event during his second term and coinciding with the US's 250th independence anniversary. Nonetheless, his political involvement raises eyebrows, hinting at potential venue shifts from Democratic-led cities based on safety concerns.
Attendees will also include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The tournament will span 11 venues in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
Initially, Iran had threatened to boycott the ceremony due to visa complications, but ultimately confirmed participation, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei.
Argentina, the defending champions, will join top seeds like Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium, along with the three host nations in the first seeding pot. The new format also allows for exciting first-time qualifiers such as Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curacao.
Despite the optimism, not everyone is thrilled about the expanded 48-team format. Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has critiqued it as a “monster.” Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams proceeding to the last 32. Notably, the four highest-ranked teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—will not meet until the semi-finals.
Six additional spots remain to be filled through playoffs, which could influence the matchups for the lower-seeded teams. Italy, who won the World Cup in 2006 but missed the last two tournaments, remains a team to keep an eye on.
The tournament will commence with the opening match at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, while the final is slated for MetLife Stadium near New York City. Complete match schedules and venue details will be disclosed the day after the draw.
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