Teams like Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Franceβthe top contenders for this yearβs World Cupβnow finally know who they will face in their opening matches. The draw took place at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, revealing the first-round fixtures. However, the full schedule, including dates, stadiums, and kick-off times, will be finalized and published on Saturday night.
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Argentina, Brazil, and Spain Get Favourable Openers
Both Argentina and Brazil have been handed comparatively comfortable groups.
Brazil landed in Group C with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Their opening match will be against Morocco, a team they last faced in the 1998 World Cup, where Brazil won 3β0.
Argentina, placed in Group J, will face Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. The World Cup champions begin their campaign against Algeria.
European champions Spain start their Group H journey against Cape Verde, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia completing the group lineup.
Cristiano Ronaldoβs Portugal will kick off their first match against the winner of the intercontinental play-offs, joining Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.
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England, France, and Germany Brace for Tough Starts World Cup
This tournamentβs Group L is being labelled one of the toughest groups. England and Croatia, along with Ghana and Panama, promise fierce competition. Englandβs first match is a heavyweight clash against Croatia.
Germany, after two disappointing group-stage exits, appears to have a smoother path. Assigned to Group E, they will face Curacao in their opening match, followed by Ecuador and the Ivory Coast.
Two-time finalists France have a challenging route in Group I, which includes Senegal, Norway, and one of Iraq, Suriname, or Bolivia (depending on play-off results). Their first match is a rematch from the 2002 World Cup group stageβthis time against Senegal.
In other notable fixtures:
- The Netherlands face Japan in Group F.
- Belgium, which shocked the world in 2018, opened against Egypt.
- Hosts Mexico start against South Africa, while co-hosts USA face Paraguay.
- Canada will face either Northern Ireland, Italy, Wales, or Bosnia, depending on UEFA play-off outcomes.
Full Group Breakdown
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, the Republic, Denmark/North Macedonia/the Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland
Group B: Canada, Northern Ireland/Italy/Wales/Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ecuador, Ivory Coast
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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