Sat Dec 06 02:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article rewrite:

Summary:

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, took place in Washington D.C. Key highlights include Argentina facing Algeria, Austria, and Jordan; Spain facing Cape Verde, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia; England taking on Croatia, Ghana, and Panama; and France playing Senegal, Norway, and a play-off winner. The expanded 48-team tournament features an extra knockout round and will see the four highest-ranked nations kept apart until the semi-finals. U.S. President Donald Trump received a peace prize from FIFA during the ceremony, which also included performances and appearances from various celebrities.

News Article:

2026 World Cup Draw Sets Stage for Historic Tournament; Trump Receives FIFA Peace Prize

Washington D.C. – The stage is set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, following a star-studded draw ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts yesterday. The event, which marks the final countdown to the first-ever 48-team World Cup, saw defending champions Argentina drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan.

European champions Spain face Cape Verde, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group H, while England will contend with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L. Two-time winners France have a potentially tricky Group I, featuring Senegal, Norway, and a play-off winner from either Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname. Co-hosts Mexico will kick off the tournament against South Africa. The United States will play Paraguay, Australia and a European play-off winner.

For the first time, the draw ensured that the four highest-ranked nations – Spain, Argentina, France, and England – are kept apart until the semi-finals. However, the expanded format, including an additional knockout round, could present a challenging path for any of the contenders.

Adding to the spectacle, U.S. President Donald Trump received FIFA’s new peace prize during the ceremony. Trump praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his work, while brushing aside questions about relationship with the co-hosting nations of Canada and Mexico. Highlighting the event, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were also in attendance, and the ceremony was punctuated by performances and appearances by celebrities like Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal.

“It will be the greatest World Cup ever,” declared Infantino. “This is like 104 Super Bowls in one month — this is the magnitude of what we are organizing.”

The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19 across 16 venues in the three host countries, with the final scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium outside New York. Teams will receive full details of their match venues and kick-off times today. With 16 more teams than the 2022 tournament, the 2026 World Cup promises an unprecedented scale and level of competition.

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