Top guns plot path to World Cup glory

TRUMP STEALS THE SHOW AT DRAW IN WASHINGTON

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MAN OF THE MOMENT: US President Donald Trump receives the Fifa Peace Prize from Fifa president Gianni Infantino during the draw for the 2026 World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

The path to glory at the 2026 World Cup has now been laid out after the contenders discovered their tournament fate at Friday's draw ceremony in Washington which was dominated by Donald Trump.

The US President received Fifa’s new peace prize on stage at the Kennedy Center prior to the draw for the first 48-team World Cup, which offered kind starts to the tournament for holders Argentina and much-fancied Spain in particular.

While the makeup of the groups was revealed along with the potential path through the knockout rounds for all the potential winners, the precise schedule for the competition was to be confirmed last night, Thai time.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina begin their defence of the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022 by facing Algeria, and will also play Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J.

Reigning European champions Spain will kick off their campaign against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde before also taking on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.