Fri Dec 05 19:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:

Summary:

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took place in Washington D.C., defining the position of the intercontinental playoff spot that Bolivia will compete for. Bolivia qualified for this playoff after surpassing Venezuela in the South American qualifiers. They will face Suriname in the semi-finals, with a potential match against Iraq afterwards. Had Venezuela qualified directly, they would have been placed in a group with France, Senegal, and Norway. The full World Cup schedule is being unveiled this weekend, though the final version won’t be complete until all qualifying spots are filled in March. The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. Nearly 2 million tickets have already been sold.

News Article:

2026 World Cup Draw: Bolivia to Fight for Final Spot, Schedule Imminent

Washington D.C. – The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, took place Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., setting the stage for the expanded 48-team tournament.

The draw determined the placement of the intercontinental playoff spot that Bolivia has secured after a strong showing in South American qualifying, surpassing Venezuela. “La Verde” aims to return to the World Cup stage after a 32-year absence. Their path involves a semi-final match against Suriname, followed by a potential showdown with Iraq for a coveted World Cup berth.

The fate of Venezuela was also revealed during the draw. Had they qualified directly, they would have found themselves in a challenging group alongside football powerhouses France, Senegal, and Norway.

The highly anticipated match schedule for the 2026 World Cup is slated to be unveiled by FIFA on Saturday. The schedule release will include dates, times, and host cities for the matches.

While this weekend’s unveiling provides a substantial overview, the complete and final schedule will not be confirmed until March 2025, after all remaining qualifying spots have been filled through European playoffs and FIFA playoffs.

The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment, expanding to include 48 national teams and a record-breaking 104 matches played across 16 cities in North America. Demand for tickets is already high, with nearly two million tickets sold. This promises to be the biggest World Cup in history.

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