And that is that for today’s fever dream: We had a quite surreal and apparently interminable prelude of faffery that began with Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma before proceedings went quickly downhill. Before the draw that got underway, the ever obsequious Gianni Infantino presented Donald Trump with the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize, Robbie Williams and Nicole Sherzinger walked off stage to the sound of their own feet after performing a power ballad, and Lauryn Hill and her children fared no better as they rapped to a great Fifa wall of indifference.
Taking over from hosts Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, Rio Ferdinand and Samantha Johnson did a decent job of hosting an astonishingly complicated World Cup draw, ably assisted by sporting legends Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal, before the evening drew to a conclusion with Donald Trump and assorted dignitaries shaking their collective booty to a live performance of YMCA by the Village People. Anyway, thanks for your time, here once again is the draw and I can’t be the only one who needs a stiff drink after that weirdness. Bottoms up!
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Thomas Tuchel: "Difficult group, difficult opener"
“Difficult group, difficult opener [against Croatia],” says Thomas Tuchel, in an interview with the BBC. “Difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations. Panama, I don’t know much about Panama at the moment but we will find out about it before the tournament starts, of course.
“For me, I’m only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to always give it the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group. It always seems difficult like our group now but we are confident and we will be well prepared when we arrive.”
The Group of Death ...
I’m calling it: Having had time to reflect and ruminate, I’m saying Group I might be the Group of Death, containing as it does France, Senegal, Norway and one of Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.
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How the home nations (and Rep of Ireland) fared ...
England: Thomas Tuchel’s side will face a rematch of their 2018 semi-final in the opening fixture of their World Cup campaign next summer, after they were drawn alongside Croatia in Group L. They will also face Panama and Ghana, writes Paul MacInnes …
Scotland (with added Wales, Northern Ireland and Rep of Ireland): Steve Clarke’s team face a mouthwatering reunion with Brazil in their first World Cup campaign since 1998 after being drawn in Group C at Friday’s ceremony. They will also face Morocco and Haiti, writes Nick Ames …
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Wales and Northern Ireland: While there is no obvious Group of Death in this new-fangled 48-team tournament, Group B is shaping up to be quite the Group of Life. If Wales or Northern Ireland can qualify out of Uefa pathway A (which also contains Italy and Bosnia and Herzogovina), they’ll really fancy their chances against Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
Australia: Tony Popovic’s side have been placed in Group D for next year’s tournament, facing the USA, Paraguay and one of Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romanaia. Joey Lynch reports …
Mauricio Pochettino: 'All of them are going to be difficult'
Team USA: Having seen his team drawn in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and one of Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romanaia, the USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been chatting to Alexi Lalas on Fox. My thanks to Bryan Armen Graham who watched it so that I didn’t have to.
“I think we need to be optimistic,” he said. “We need to keep pushing, keep evolving. But at the moment, what we can say is only to analyze the teams and see what is going on in a few months.”
“I think we need to respect all the opponents. All of them are going to be difficult, and we know that very well. Paraguay were doing so well in qualification in South America. Australia, until we played them in Denver, were unbeaten for 12 or 13 games. And of course we are going to see which is the other team that is going to join us. But I think it’s full respect, yes, but also believing that we can go through. We need to perform. We need to evolve and be better every time we are together.”
“The key is going to be to keep the momentum and keep pushing. I think the belief of the team is there now. We are not a small group — we have a big group of players who really believe they can get a place on the roster for the World Cup, and I think that is important. That is the mindset for us. We need to evolve. That is the message for me. We are starting to show things that are good, but it’s still not the finished product. We need to improve a lot in different areas, but the momentum is good and we need to keep pushing and be positive.”
Alexi Lalas: USA “are going to win the group”
Contrary to Pochettino’s diplomatic take, Alexi Lalas thinks the USA have got an easy group. “Mauricio, I know you have to be respectful of the teams and everything, but when I look at the group, it would be an absolute disaster for the US not to get out of this group,” he says. “I think you’re not only going to get out of the group. I think you’re going to win the group.”
Hmmm …
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World Cup draw: England will face a rematch of their 2018 semi-final in the opening fixture of their World campaign next summer, after they were drawn alongside Croatia in Group L, while Scotland will also face a partial repeat of their last World Cup campaign after they were drawn alongside Brazil and Morocco, as well as Haiti, in Group C. Paul MacInnes reports …
Scotland kick off against Haiti
Scotland’s Group C opener will be against Haiti in either Massachusetts or New Jersey. They’ll play Morocco in their second group game and Brazil in their third. While there is no obvious group of death in this tournament, the Scots have found themselves in a fairtly tough one. One suspects they’ll need to hit the ground running and HJaiti will feel the same. Good luck to them!
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England kick off against Croatia ...
While the exact venues and timings of the fixtures will not be revealed until tomorrow, England will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia in either Dallas or Toronto on 17 June. Their second Group L match will be against Ghana and their third against Panama.
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The draw for World Cup 2026
And breathe … The draw is over and it’s time to digest what we’ve just seen unfold. Here is the draw,, in all it’s glory. Bear in mind that the Republic. of Ireland could end up in Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea, while Wales or Northern Ireland could end up in Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
The draw for World Cup 2026
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Euro Playoff D
Group B: Canada, Euro Playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Euro Playoff C
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Euro Playoff B
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Fifa Playoff 2
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Fifa Playoff 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan,
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Those playoff paths …
Uefa Play-off A: Italy, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland
Uefa Play-off B: Ukraine, Poland, Albania, Sweden
Uefa Play-off C: Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, Romania
Uefa Play-off D: Denmark, Czech Republic, Rep of Ireland, N Macedonia
Fifa Play-off 1: DR Congo v Jamaica or New Caledonia
Fifa Play-off 2: Iraq v Bolivia or Suriname
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The Village People’s show-closer: “And finally, here’s the Village People, a band one is minded to tread carefully around these days, their singer Victor Willis having threated to sue anyone who suggests their song YMCA is a gay anthem. Clearly it isn’t: what could be more innocent than a hymn to young men simply enjoying each other’s company, doing whatever they feel and hanging out with all the boys, unencumbered by the distracting presence of women; the fact that YMCAs were so notorious as cruising spots there are literally academic books devoted to the subject being entirely coincidental?
And furthermore, nor was the rest of the Village People’s oeuvre, including Macho Man, Hot Cop, Fire Island and I’m A Cruiser. Let us pause for a moment and consider how terribly frustrating it must have been for the Village People to have their work so consistently, inexplicably and cruelly misinterpreted. Then let us move on and note that – flashy light show notwithstanding - this performance of it is like something you’d see at some frightful Back To The 70s weekend at Butlins, headlined by a line-up of Mud with no original members in it.
USA! A full 189 days until they open the 2026 World Cup in the midsummer heat of Los Angeles, the US men’s national team found out who they’ll face in the world’s most popular sporting event on a cold, snowy day in Washington DC. Alexander Abnos reveals all from the JFK Centre in Washington …
Well, that was confusing ...
But we got there in the end … And I have to say that Rio Ferdinand did a surprisingly splendid job explaining all the various permutations from the stage when it was abundantly clear that nobody around him had a clue what was going on. Cue: The Village PEople singing YMCA …
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The World Cup draw in full
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Euro playoff D
Group B: Canada, Euro playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Euro playoff C
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Euro playoff B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Fifa playoff 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Fifa playoff 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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Group B
Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, Uefa Play-off A (potentially Wales or Northern Ireland)
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Uefa Play-off D (potentially Republic of Ireland)
England get Croatia, Ghana and Panama ...
I repeat: Group L is England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
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Scotland will play Haiti first ...
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
Some housekeeping: Some of these groups are out of order and not necessarily being drawn in order of pot-by-pot seeding because … rules and “computer says no”.
England get Panama, Norway in with France and Senegal
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland,
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia,
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay,
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama
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Scotland get Brazil!!!!
Wow! They join Brazil and Morocco in Group C.
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Mexico v South Africa: This will be the first game of the World Cup on 11 June in Mexico City.
England: The vagaries, rules and regs of the draw now mean England cannot be in the same group as Scotland or Norway. It’s time for another montage …
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England get Croatia, USA will face Australia ...
Group A: Mexico, South Korea,
Group B: Canada, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan
Group G: Belgium, Iran
Group H: Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal
Group J: Argentina, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia
England will play Croatia in their first match of World Cup 2026.
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A montage, sir. It’s the teams from Group B.
England go into Group L as pots set up
Group A: Mexico,
Group B: Canada,
Group C: Brazil,
Group D: USA,
Group E: Germany,
Group F: Netherlands,
Group G: Belgium,
Group H: Spain,
Group I: France,
Group J: Argentina,
Group K: Portugal,
Group L: England
Tom Brady puts England in Brazil’s quarter of the draw and they will play their first game on 17 June in Dallas or Toronto. If they win their group, they’ll play a third-placed team in the Round of 32.
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The draw thus far …
Group A: Mexico
Group B: Canada
Group C:
Group D: USA
Group E:
Group F:
Group G:
Group H:
Group I:
Group J:
Group K:
Group L:
“As a paid up plastic Scouser, it’s not often I feel for Rio Ferdinand, but this is beyond cringing,” writes John Davies, as we cut to a montage of the teams in Pot 1.
They are: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
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Rio Ferdinand and Samantha Johnson take the floor … Well, not quite. First, Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum introduce tonight’s draw assistants: Baseball’s Aaron Judge, basketball’s Shaquille O’Neal and the NFL’s Tom Brady. The sight of Shaquille O’Neal standing next to Kevin Hart is worth the price of admission alone.
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The rules: By way of explaining the extremely complex and convoluted rules of the draw to the TV audience, we’re shown some VT of a couple of stage school brats children playing the role of schoolchildren explaining them to a bewildered Rio. Honestly, bear with me because we’re nearly there …
Time for a World Cup wind-up: We move to VT of a “humorous”phone call between Gianni Infantino and Rio Ferdinand, with the screen splitting between the former telling the latter not to worry about the complexities of hosting the business end of the draw and the subsequent reaction shots from our hapless hero.
We then see Rio getting advice from “Fifa ambassadors” Matthew “Mumbles” McConaughey and Salma Hayek, before he is introduced to the stage and tells Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum to stop using the word “soccer”. This is absolutely top-tier Fifa-approved banter.
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The official Petridis verdict on Lauryn Hill’s medley is in: Watching her high energy, faintly chaotic set, you have to feel a bit for Lauryn Hill – she’s up there nearly herniating herself trying to get some response from the audience and they’re doing absolutely nothing. Medley of hits, including no-further-questions floorfiller Doo Wop (That Thing)? Nope. Bringing her kids onstage to honour the memory of Bob Marley? Crickets. I suspect she’s wondering why she turned up.
The Lauryn Hill rap medley ends: “That was unbelievable,” says Danny Ramirez and he’s not wrong. Mixing it in the audience, he introduces the former USA international and two-times Women’s World Cup winner Carli Lloyd. “This is going to be amazing, it’s going to be exciting,” she says of next summer’s jamboree.
Another musical interlude: Lauryn Hill is rocking the mic and introduces a young rapper I believe to be her son, John Nesta Marley. “How ya’ll feeling!?!?!” he asks the crowd … twice, a request that is greeted by almost total indifference and complete silence. This is toe-curling cringe but they’re soldiering on.
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Donald Trump: This ain’t the US President’s first cup draw rodeo, don’t you know?
The draw has begun: Mexico go into Group A, Canada into Group B and the USA into Group D. “Hopefully the draw will be finished in time for the first match in June,” says Jonathan Pearce on the BBC’s coverage, as Gianni invites Carney, Trump and Scheinbaum to join him for a selfie. It’s time for another montage, while the stage is prepared for the rest of the draw. We’re nearly there!!!
VIP guest and Guardian music critic Alexis Petridis writes: Is it just me, or was the Robbie Williams/Nicole Sherzinger duet met with a fairly muted response in the Kennedy Centre? It was a standard issue stadium ballad enlivened slightly by the sneaking suspicion that Robbie Williams realised the lyrics he was singing were absolute tripe. Although nothing like the kind of tripe that’s currently being spewed on the video about Donald Trump.
“Privileged as I feel to have been invited to contribute to this livestream when the musical sections of the evening pop up, I feel I should point out that I’m The Guaridan’s rock and pop critic and I know absolutely nothing about opera, so I have no idea whatsoever if Andrea Boccelli’s performance of Nessun Dorma was any good or not. Still, as long as he was onstage, it meant Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger - and indeed Donald Trump - weren’t, so hats off to Andrea Boccelli – it’s a big thumbs up from me.
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Gianni’s back: He introduces Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum and US president Donald Trump to draw the balls for the co-hosts to mark the start of tonight’s serious business.
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I tried in vain to get inside the main theater where the draw itself is taking place. No dice. But I am happily stationed now at a table just outside the doors, just off the red carpet here at the Kennedy Center. There are a lot of very important-looking people milling about. When Trump was announced as the Fifa Peace Prize winner everyone stopped in their tracks. Some light chuckles and laughs from the service personnel here. One or two eyerolls. Some genuine amazement too, just like many of us.
Lionel Scaloni: Former West Ham loanee Lionel Scaloni, who coached Argentina to victory in the last World Cup, brings out the trophy, addresses the crowd in Spanish and leaves. I don’t speak Spanish, so I can’t tell you what he said. Apologies. It seems Heidi has no idea what he said either, but she thanks him and sends him on his way.
Following Lionel’s speech, roving reporter Danny Ramirez interviews Roberto Carlos in the audience. He speaks in Portuguese, another language in which my prowess stretches only to “please”, “thank you” and ordering a beer. I don’t know what Roberto said either, but he didn’t say “please”, “thank you” or order a beer. He did mention David Beckham, mind.
Donald Trump reveals that this is one of the biggest honours of his life and then proceeds to reiterate how great he is, for the benefit of anyone who might have been in the rest room while Gianni was talking.
He tells the audience about the “millions and millions of lives” he and Infantino have saved, before mentioning the huge number of tickets Fifa have sold for the World Cup, while steering a wide berth of mentioning Fifa’s dynamic pricing strategy. He also nods to his Mexican and Canadian counterparts. It’s a mercifully short speech.
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Donald Trump: 'I'm going to wear it right now'
The American president accepts his medal and puts it around his own neck, before Gianni Infantino blows smoke up his nether regions by reading from his official Fifa Award certificate and telling him how great he is. “We want to see hope, we want to see unity, we want to see a future,” says Gianni. “This is what we want to see from a leader and you definitely deserve the first Fifa Peace Prize. You can always count on my support to help you make peace around the world. Thank you Mr President.”
Pass the bucket.
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DONALD TRUMP WINS THE FIFA PEACE PRIZE!!!
Have that, Greta! In your face María Corina Machado! Well, who could have seen this coming? Gianni welcomes Donald Trump to the stage. “And now, the liars …”
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It’s time for a montage: “Throughout human history, a call for peace has echoed across civilisations and generations. Every nation and every culkture has wished for peace because peace is the foundation on which prosperity, hope, security and unity are built …” intones voiceover man, over video footage of children playing and what-not. “When there is peace, children everywhere can find a field and a ball …”
It’s time for a new global honour, folks. Who could it be? Who is going to win the inaugural Fifa peace prize? I dunno about you but I’m on tenterhooks here to find out what “dynamic leader” is about to get the gong…
Another musical interlude: Robbie Williams and the former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger are the next musical cab of the rank, singing the all new World Cup anthem Desire. Altogether now …
Aim high, fly by, destiny’s in front of you (ooh)
It’s a beautiful game, and the dream is coming true
One love, one kind, this life’s in love with you (ooh)
You chase the sun, and the world will run with you
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Football Has The Power To Unite The World: Kevin Hart is the first person to say it tonight and without further ado, he and Heidi engage in some carefully scripted banter before introducing a VT about a Fifa initiative to help educate kids by turning football’s global reach into global impact. Thank you Shakira, Hugh Jackman, Kaka and other celebrities I didn’t quite recognise.
Gianni Infantino: “Let me try something",” asks Gianni, deciding to risk a bit of improv, which is never a good idea. He enquires if there are any Americans, Canadians and Mexicans in the room, is greeted by whoops of varying degrees of volume. On the count of three, the Americans are asked to chant: “USA! USA! USA!” The Canadian equivalent is comparatively half-hearted, but the Mexicans put both their fellow co-hosts to shame. And that’s it from MC Gianni, for now …
Gianni Infantino takes to the stage ...
Towering over her co-host Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum welcomes Gianni Infantino to the stage. He says hello in several different languages and then tells everyone that football is “the language of love, passion and happiness”.
He describes Fifa as the official happiness provider of humanity for over 100 years, he welcomes US president Donald Trump, Mexico president Caludia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
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In the audience: Almost to a man and woman, those in attendance are filming Andrea on their mobile phones. It’s good to know that it’s not just in the comparatively grotty surroundings of the excellent Brixton Academy that people don’t know how to lose themselves in music. This is being filmed for television, people! By professionals! Set your recorders and just enjoy the performance!
And now, a musical interlude: Wearing a navy crushed velvet tuxedo and black bow-tie, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli gets proceedings under way on the stage of the John F Kennedy Centre with a rendition of Nessun Dorma. I’m as cynical as the next man but no matter how many times I hear it, it always gets the hairs up on my arms and the back of my neck.
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And here we go … Over the next 90 minutes or so, the fickle finger of fate will be busily pointing at various nations as she decides who will play who at next summer’s 48-team World Cup finals to be staged in Canada, the USA and Mexico.
An email: “Greetings from the beautiful Beehive State (Utah) from a native Washingtonian (in a city full of careerist transplants, we do exist),” writes Mike S. “Looking at those lines to enter the ceremony I’m reminded of my favorite and most accurate description of Washington by JFK when he said it “is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.’”
I have fond memories of World Cup 94 attending games at cavernous, leaky, decaying, cookie-cutter RFK stadium, particularly watching Saeed Al-Quairan’s breathtaking goal against a Belgium squad that featured the red booted (very fashion forward at the time) Enzo Scifo. Back then the Saudis were underdogs, and now, welp, they’re running the show with their billions. At least Gianni Cash is happy with the state of modern football. Money ruins everything!”
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Donald Trump: If he is awarded the Fifa peace prize, Donald Trump will be expected to make a speech tonight and has apparently been given a two-minute time limit to air today’s grievances. Good luck with that, Gianni …
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Spain 82 draw: With Rio Ferdinand in charge of today’s draw, it’s difficult to imagine anything going wrong. However, Chris Roberts has got in touch to remind us of the chaos that surrounded the draw for the World Cup in Spain 44 years ago. Well, either that or it’s Rio’s anxiety dream from last night …
An email: “Like every Irish football fan, I’m hoping to see the Euro Playoff D ball land in the same group as England, for reasons that need no explanation,” writes Justin Kavanagh. “Otherwise, a Scotland matchup would certainly ensure a good night out, and a game against Brazil or Argentina would give Ireland a slice of never-before-experienced World Cup history. As for the challenge of getting beyond the Czech Republic and Denmark? Well, we all know we’re above Parrotty with those lads!”
Sorry Justin but this Rep of Ireland fan can think of little worse than being put in a group with England and I’d say the feeling is mutual. See also: England v Scotland. It’s a World Cup, I want us to play somebody more exotic although I am prepared to concede that a match between the Republic of Ireland and Scotland would be some occasion. Anyway, I think as Irish fans we’re getting slightly ahead of ourselves.
While we wait: And to get you in the mood, here’s Alan Partridge’s World Cup Countdown To USA 94 (hat-tip: Paul Roche). Liquid football …
Alexander Abnos writes: At the JFK centre on behalf of the Guardian’s American bureau, Alexander tells us: “I have made it through the insane security line and ended up arriving right next to Mexico president Claudia Scheinbaum. She walked right past me.
“Moments later, I’ve been prevented from entering the media center because President Trump is too close to arrival. A group of about 20 or 30 journalists are gathered in a group outside waiting to get inside, but we are being held up by Secret Service and police.”
All the same, it’s going to be a terrific tournament, isn’t it? Thoughts and prayers, Alex. Thoughts and prayers.
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The inaugural Fifa peace prize II: I subsequently asked Google Gemini to come up with 10 good reasons why President Trump should not win the gong and here is the response. Over to you Gianni …
Undermining International Institutions
Critics point to the withdrawal of the US from significant multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), arguing these actions destabilized global cooperation and consensus.
Weakening Traditional Alliances
His “America first” policy and frequent public criticism of long-standing allies (e.g., NATO members, countries in Europe and Asia) are cited as disrupting global unity and fraternity—a core theme of the Fifa prize.
Transactional diplomacy over long-term peace
Critics argue his diplomatic style is excessively transactional, prioritizing immediate political or economic wins over addressing the root causes of conflict or establishing durable, institutional peace processes.
Escalating geopolitical tensions
Decisions such as the escalation of trade wars, increased tensions with countries like China and Iran, and the use of hard-power threats in regions like Latin America (e.g., towards Colombia or Venezuela) are seen as fostering conflict rather than reducing it.
Withdrawing from open borders and refugee principles
Policies that drastically limited refugee intake and imposed travel bans on several Muslim-majority nations are seen as contrary to the prize’s spirit of promoting universal inclusion and “uniting people across the world.”
Disdain for human rights and democratic norms
His public praise or perceived alignment with certain authoritarian leaders and his administration’s perceived disregard for human rights issues in various countries are seen as undermining the values of liberal international order.
Ignoring climate change as a peace threat
Major international peace awards often recognize climate change as a key driver of future conflict (resource wars, mass migration). His administration’s strong policy stance against recognizing climate change is argued to be disqualifying.
Internal rhetoric of division and disunity
Peace prizes typically look for a candidate whose overall message promotes harmony. Critics argue his political rhetoric, often characterized by division and attacks on the media and political opponents, is fundamentally at odds with the concept of a peace prize.
Controversial lobbying and self-promotion:
The perception of an aggressive, public campaign to obtain international recognition, coupled with a history of criticizing committees that do not award him, is viewed by some as violating the “unwritten code” of quiet humility often associated with such honors.
Instability of diplomatic achievements:
While the Abraham Accords are recognized, critics argue that many of his claimed peace efforts (like those with North Korea or in other regions) have not resulted in verifiable, sustained, or irreversible demilitarization or de-escalation, making them potentially temporary or fragile.
The inaugural Fifa peace prize: While nobody knows for certain who is going to win this prestigious gong, there is one white-hot favourite. Earlier today while messing around with the Artificial Intelligence tool, Google Gemini, I asked it to provide me with 10 good reasons why President Donald Trump would be a worthy winner. Here’s what it came up with and I cannot stress enough that these are not my words or opinions, but those of our AI overlords.
Brokering Peace in the Middle East
His administration has been credited with securing a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza conflict, which involved a hostage release and a foundation for sustained peace between Israel and Hamas.
Facilitating the Abraham Accords
Initiating and mediating the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations (UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, and Kosovo), a major shift in decades of Middle East foreign policy.
Ending Specific International Conflicts
The administration has claimed responsibility for mediating and ending several armed conflicts globally, including agreements between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, and a joint declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Promoting a “Peace Through Strength” doctrine
Advocates argue his foreign policy approach, which prioritizes strong deterrence and decisive action, ultimately leads to peace by discouraging potential adversaries from engaging in conflict.
Direct diplomacy with adversaries
His willingness to engage in high-stakes personal diplomacy and direct talks with leaders of nations traditionally considered adversaries, aiming for denuclearization and improved relations.
De-escalating the India-Pakistan conflict
His administration was involved in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during a period of heightened aerial conflict, which some sources credit for halting the fighting.
Focus on economic incentives for peace
The strategy of integrating peace deals with economic benefits and investment—such as the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”—is argued to create a more sustainable basis for lasting peace.
Shifting the paradigm of conflict resolution
He defied traditional foreign policy assumptions by achieving normalization in the Middle East without first resolving the Israeli-Palestinian issue, demonstrating a new model for diplomatic progress.
Leadership in hostage release
Securing the release of hostages held abroad through diplomatic means has been a consistent focus of his administration’s international efforts.
Global unity through football (Fifa’s motto)
The US will be a key host of the 2026 World Cup, and a major diplomatic achievement by the sitting US President could be seen to align with the award’s full name, “Fifa Peace Prize – Football Unites the World,” by showcasing global cooperation ahead of the major tournament.
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Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European playoff teams, two intercontinental playoff teams.
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How the World Cup draw works
John covered it earlier but to save you scrolling all the way down, here’s a reminder of how tonight’s draw works, courtesy of Tom Lutz.
How does the draw work?
The 48 teams have been divided into four pots containing 12 teams each. Pot 1 consists of the three co-hosts – USA, Mexico and Canada – along with the nine top teams in the current Fifa rankings. The next three pots were decided by the Fifa rankings, with the lowest-ranked qualified teams in Pot 4. The 12 groups for the World Cup will then be formed by one team from each pot (full pots listed later).
It can’t be that simple, eh?
No. There are still six qualification places to be decided via playoffs in late March, and teams involved in those matches have been placed in Pot 4. That means a team such as Italy will be ostensibly the weakest opponents in a group, even though they have won the World Cup four times and are ranked No 12 in the world, should they come through the European qualifying playoffs.
Teams from the same qualifying conference should, in theory, not be in the same group. But that is impossible for European teams as Uefa will have 16 teams in the draw. There will, though, be a maximum of two European teams in any group. In addition, the top four teams in the Fifa rankings – Spain, Argentina, France and England – cannot face each other until the semi-finals (of course, they have to make it there first), provided they win their groups.
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Tonight’s co-presenters: The experienced, steady pair of steady pairs of hands that are Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart will be chairing proceedings from Washington. Given that Klum used to be a supermodel and Hart is famously diminutive in stature, we could be about to bear witness to the greatest disparity in height between two co-hosts of a major televised ceremony since Mick Fleetwood and Samantha Fox presented the 1989 Brit Awards. Here’s hoping today’s World Cup draw goes a little more smoothly than that particularly shambolic affair.
Hello everybody. With less than an hour to go until the ceremony begins, I’m certainly excited and my nation, the Republic of Ireland, hasn’t even secured qualification yet. With apologies to the Czech Republic, Denmark and/or North Macedonia, it’s only a formality, I’m … er, sure.
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Here’s Barry…
But before I do, a roll call of some of the managers who have jumped the queue: Saudi Arabia’s Herve Renard, an ever stylish man, Curacao’s Dick Advocaat, a lithe Ronald Koeman, the Dutch coach, Brazil’s Don Carlo Ancelotti, France’s eternal Didier Deschamps, Switzerland’s suave Murat Yakin. And many more….
Barry can guide you through the rest.
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Before I step aside for the great Barry Glendenning, let’s remember this moment from the start of Rio Ferdinand’s media career.
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Peter Oh gets in touch: “Good morning from chilly and foggy northern California! Honestly, who needs the Improvised Shakespeare Company when the England national team are coming to perform in America?”
Hard to get your head round the concept of improvised Shakespeare, right? Sort of defeats the whole point. I am 10 minutes from the original Globe; did they do an improv night?
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Steven gets in touch: “Actually, the building in that photo is of the Watergate Hotel, yes that Watergate, it’s about a 10-minute walk on a warm day from the Watergate to the Ken Cen. Just an FYI from a loyal Washington, DC reader of the Guardian.”
Yes, that’s correct. A few journalists of my acquaintance were blown over by it being that Watergate Hotel.
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Steven Grundy gets in touch: “I was just wondering what your favourite World Cup of all time is? I was born in 1988, so as a Scot, 1998 will always be a nice memory. I guess Brazil 1-7 Germany is the most surreal game I have ever watched. However, overall, I guess my favourite tournament was 201, I especially enjoyed the Belgium vs Japan game.”
I suppose, as a young fan, 1986 was great, and so was 1990; I loved that Italy team. USA 94 was, as they say, a blast; up all night. I saw every game. France 1998 I was in Australia so I missed a fair bit. In my professional career, 2006 was a fine tournament, and I was at both 2010 and 2014 from start to finish; very happy memories of both. Brazil in 2014 was a good tournament spoiled by a bad final, and the other semi-final from the 7-1 (a game I watched in a very angry bar in Sao Paulo), was Argentina v Netherlands, one of the worst games ever played.
Alex Abnos is still out in the cold.
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Of course, the event we are all waiting for is to see who the mystery winner of the inaugural peace prize will be? The planet is on tenterhooks. Further details from Daniel Boffey here.
The background of the chair of the committee tasked with coming up with a proposal on the process may not convince everyone that he will speak truth to power either.
He is Zaw Zaw, the 59-year-old president of the Myanmar football federation for the past two decades who, along with his company, Max Myanmar, was the subject of EU and US economic sanctions at various points between 2009 and 2016.
The US state department described him in a press release in 2009 as one of the “cronies” of Myanmar’s brutal ruling military junta as it suppressed democracy and violated human rights.
Where’s the oddest place you’ve watched a World Cup draw? I’ll start, for 2010’s draw, in December 2009, I watched it on BBC World in a Palestinian bar in Jerusalem, Beckham, Charlize Theron and all on a very grainy TV screen.
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This being 2025, we’re expecting a slick, high concept draw, with perhaps a bit of tack lobbed in, though can it live up to previous oddities?
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What of Mother England? Thomas Tuchel has been impressive so far but can he counter the Englishman’s fear of playing in hot weather?
As the globe turns its attentions to Washington DC, perhaps perspective can be regained by Football Daily’s considerations of Saturday’s East Midlands derby?
Rio Ferdinand will be joined by Sam Johnson and a host of sporting greats, including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal, as the draw conductor.
“He had this to say on the ticket prices: “‘I am a man of the people in terms of I’m from a place where we were always hoping for things to be accessible. I know that the people behind the scenes at FIFA are aiming and working to something like that now, whether they get there for that remains to be seen.”
Last month, talking to LBC’s Tom Swarbrick, the man of the people said this about his move to Dubai: “If things like the health service, for example, was absolutely flying and working perfectly well then I think people wouldn’t mind paying tax.”
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House-keeping: the draw itself will go at 5.55pm UK time/12.55pm ET. It will be groups ONLY. Cities and kick-off times will be announced on Saturday at 5pm UK time/Midday ET.
Update from Kennedy Center
“The security line is insanely backed up. A huge huddle of journalists, host city officials, basically anyone with a credential are huddle together in the wind and snow waiting to get through security. I am not having fun.”
What entertainment awaits us? The question of how the Village People became the house band of the Trumpist is a complicated one.
Memories of 1994’s draw, held in Las Vegas, where this draw was purported to be, via ESPN and Roger Bennett, from 2014.
“The star-studded event took place at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. A cast of thousands including Barry Manilow, Julio Iglesias, Faye Dunaway and Dick Clark were involved in a fantastical affair that the great Bob Ley described being as if “Salvador Dali could produce a state lottery.”
“Fittingly for such a surreal occasion, it was Robin Williams who stole the spotlight. First, the comedian described the draw bracket as “the world’s biggest keno game” and then proceeded to refer repeatedly to Sepp Blatter as “Sepp Bladder,” even after the then-FIFA general secretary corrected him, insisting, “This is not a comedy!””
Via Wiki:
The Navy contacted group manager Henri Belolo to use the song In The Navy in a recruiting advertising campaign for television and radio. Belolo gave the rights free on condition that the Navy help them shoot the music video. Less than a month later, the Village group arrived at Naval Base San Diego where the Navy provided them with access to film on the deck of the berthed frigate USS Reasoner; in the end, the Navy did not use the video, choosing to remain with the traditional “Anchors Aweigh“.[
Victor Willis is the sole remaining original member of the Village People.
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John in New York gets in touch: “I bought tickets for a group game in Philadelphia so I’m excited to find out which teams I will be going to see. There is part of me worried that it will be Jordan v Panama or something like that. But on the other hand, a game like that might the occasion these teams first World Cup win, it’s a second group game so it might be a team qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time.
“A game with a team like Ecuador or Colombia would be great to see as their fans would bring a lot color & support. I have worked with guys from these countries who were massive soccer fans and would love to see their country at a World Cup game but with the climate in the United States I don’t know if they will want to attend and deal with the likely hassle. I’m a naturalized American citizen from Ireland with an American wife and two children born here. I will be able to travel to a game without any problems. A Naturalized Ecuadorean or Colombian in the same position as me may have to deal with ICE asking them to prove that their allowed to be in the country. Will they want to deal with that hassle in order to go to a game?”
Justin Kavanagh gets in touch: “An armed man, a sniffer dog, and a portaloo. That photo doesn’t bode well for the World Cup ahead of us next summer. I suspect that the average fan (i.e. those not in the corporate seats) will be treated with the same contempt as those journalists are feeling right now, standing waiting to do their job in the snow. I loved the last World Cup held in America, when it proved a weird but welcoming country. But this time round the tournament feels like yet another money grab for the millionaire class… I think I’d rather take a boating holiday off the coast of Venezuela than fork thousands into the coffers of Infantino & his buddy with the blond bouffant.”
Those scenes remind of security at JFK airport, an almost deliberately hostile environment.
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Krishna gets in touch: “Is there any plans to have the match balls in a particular shade of orange? Then a Procol Harum tribute band can compose a WC anthem “a proper shade of peach” or “a tighter coat of tangerine”.”
The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts will host the show. What’s on at the venue otherwise? Events include:
The Improvised Shakespeare Company: Based on one audience suggestion (a title of a show that has never been written), The Improvised Shakespeare Company® creates a brand new, fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes!
And:
Monty Python’s Spamalot: “Everything that makes a great knight in the theater is here, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery—and of course, the Lady of the Lake. Spamalot features well-known songs such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail,” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theater canon.”
America really loves Monty Python, rather a fading force in the UK these days. There’s a Norwegian blue gag in Erling Haaland somewhere or other.
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Looks like the journalists will have the Secret Service run the rule over them.
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Benjamin gets in touch: “I am webmaster of www.national-football-teams.com !
“As you can imagine, draw day is quite something when international football is one of your things. I want to chip in on possible groups of death. These are the two of the hardest groups I could come up with:
Argentina
Morocco
Norway
Italy (If they qualify)
Spain
Colombia
Ivory Coast
Denmark (If they qualify)
“And what about groups that sound really easy? Well, how about these:
Canada
Austria
Qatar
Cape Verde
Belgium
Iran
South Africa
Curacao
All of these groups would be possible in the same draw, and I guess those might feel a little unfair. On the other hand, I am exactly the sort of person who would love to see all these juicy matches!
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Rogorn gets in touch: “One thing about the World Cup draw: I see that the hosts have chosen to give themselves (or Fifa has chosen for them) the advantage of having more days to complete the tournament (by being among the first teams to start playing) over the advantage to play last in the group stages, therefore knowing what results they need (and the third-place thing will be key). If you were in their places, which of these two advantages would you choose?
“One other thing: are the venues going to be drawn too, or will this be decided by the organising committee between today and tomorrow? And if so, which teams will be sent where (i.e., which teams will play in the USA as opposed to... not?)“
The venues come out as part of the draw, with fixtures confirmed on the Saturday.
Pep Guardiola has been reflecting on next summer’s World Cup in America, pointing to his experience with Spain in the heat of America at the 1994 edition.
“United States in ‘94 we played in Dallas [a 2-2 draw with South Korea] and wow. We were out [as substitutes or squad members] and maybe it would have been better to be inside like Thomas [Tuchel] has decided [for England]. In some states and in Mexico in summer, it’s hot. A lot of drinks are needed.”
There has been talk Tuchel will keep his subs in the cooler/in the dressing-room until it’s time to call on them.
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We will soon know who landed a "group of death”, though third place qualification from groups does rather reduce the deadliness. Will Unwin has been pruning his permutations.
David Hytner hopes the draw can be about the football. Let’s hope so, too.
It can sound corny when players and managers talk about fulfilling childhood dreams at the World Cup. But the emotion during qualification has been real. The scenes, for example, when Scotland secured their first spot at a finals since France 98 with the epic Hampden Park victory over Denmark will live for ever. And how about when Cape Verde got there with the home win over Eswatini? Africa had five places for Qatar 22. They now have a guaranteed nine. It will be 10 if the Democratic Republic of the Congo win their playoff final against New Caledonia or Jamaica.
Here are the pots.
Via the Fifa media release, here’s what we can expect on the razzmatazz front.
Global icons Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart to co-host final draw show at Kennedy Center in Washington DC
Actor and producer Danny Ramirez to engage football greats in attendance, bringing Hollywood flair
Live performances to be delivered by legendary maestro Andrea Bocelli, Village People and global music superstar Robbie Williams, who will be joined by award-winning multi-hyphenate Nicole Scherzinger
Lunchtime listening: Jonathan Liew on the political hue of next summer.
The technicalities are here, as picked through by Tom Lutz.
And how does the actual draw work?
The 48 teams have been divided into four pots containing 12 teams each. Pot 1 consists of the three co-hosts – USA, Mexico and Canada – along with the nine top teams in the current Fifa rankings. The next three pots were decided by the Fifa rankings, with the lowest-ranked qualified teams in Pot 4. The 12 groups for the World Cup will then be formed by one team from each pot (full pots listed later).
Sounds simple!
Well, not quite. There are still six qualification places to be decided via playoffs in late March, and teams involved in those matches have been placed in Pot 4. That means a team such as Italy will be ostensibly the weakest opponents in a group, even though they have won the World Cup four times and are ranked No 12 in the world, should they come through the European qualifying playoffs. Teams from the same qualifying conference should, in theory, not be in the same group. But that is impossible for European teams as Uefa will have 16 teams in the draw. There will, though, be a maximum of two European teams in any group. In addition, the top four teams in the Fifa rankings – Spain, Argentina, France and England – cannot face each other until the semi-finals (of course, they have to make it there first), provided they win their groups.
Preamble
Welcome to our live coverage of the draw for the World Cup 2026 finals. The USA, Canada and Mexico beckon, as perhaps do your travel plans. With 48 teams to be drawn, there will be plenty to get across, not least because not all of the finalists have yet been decided. We’re expecting glitz and glamour, and that’s just from Rio Ferdinand and Gianni Infantino, so join as we bring the latest from Washington DC. The town’s most famous semi-resident will make his usual splash, no doubt.
