Argentina to open WC defence vs Algeria, record entry for Arabs

All around the globe, eyes focused on the stage where World Cup paths were sorted, nations’ names chosen one by one in a draw that determined Argentina and Lionel Messi will start their title defense against Algeria and the US will open against Paraguay.

Twenty-seven months after qualifying began, teams from five-time champion Brazil to newcomers Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan learned their group-stage opponents in the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament that starts June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Exciting for the island, for the people there. They’re so proud,” said Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old Dutchman leading Curaçao, a Caribbean country with a population of 150,000, into an opener against four-time champion Germany.

On a day that began with snow falling on the nation’s capital, the ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included US President Donald Trump receiving a newly created peace prize awarded by FIFA, soccer’s governing body. New Zealand was the last orb picked.

The Argentina then face Austria and Jordan in Group J. Argentina surprisingly lost its 2022 opener to Saudi Arabia before going on to win the final over France on penalty kicks.

Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament, hasn’t committed yet to playing but it would be shocking if he decided against appearing in a record sixth World Cup.

“We are just awaiting for him to decide,” coach Lionel Scaloni said. “In principle, everything is going well.”

The US, which reached the semifinals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and the quarterfinals in 2002, starts Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California. The Americans play Australia six days later at Seattle, then face Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo - one will emerge next year from playoffs - on June 25 back at SoFi Stadium.

The Americans had friendlies against Turkey in June, Australia in October and Paraguay last month.

Mexico hosts the tournament opener at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11 against South Africa in Group A, a rematch of the 1-1 tie at the 2010 opener in Johannesburg. El Tri then meets South Korea and closes the first round against the Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia.

Forty-two of the teams have been determined; 22 are competing in playoffs for six berths that will be decided March 31.

Winners and second-place nations from the 12 groups advance to the new round of 32 along with the top eight third-place teams. All games from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., culminating in the July 19 final at East Rutherford, New Jersey.

England, which won its only title in 1966, plays Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L. Players from Chelsea and Manchester City experienced summer U.S. conditions at this year’s Club World Cup.

Brazil opens against 2022 semifinalist Morocco, then plays Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Top-ranked Spain, the 2010 champion, faces Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H, while Germany follows its Curaçao match by playing Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

A record six Arab teams will compete in the tournament-the largest Arab presence in any World Cup to date. Iraq also remains in contention through the intercontinental play-offs, which could raise the total number of Arab participants to seven.

A total of 42 teams were allocated, while six spots remain reserved for teams advancing through the European and intercontinental play-offs, completing the list of 48 nations participating in the finals.

According to the group allocations, Qatar were drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and a European play-off qualifier, while Morocco were placed in Group C with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

Tunisia were drawn into Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, and a European play-off qualifier, whereas Egypt were placed in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.

Agencies