Messi vs Ronaldo? Haaland vs Mbappe? World Cup 2026 Draw Sparks Worldwide Buzz
The World Cup 2026 draw has generated massive global excitement, highlighting the possibility of a final Messi vs Ronaldo showdown and the first-ever World Cup clash between Haaland and Mbappé. With 48 teams divided into 12 groups, this edition features no traditional “group of death,” though several intriguing matchups stand out. Groups include nostalgic rematches like Mexico vs South Africa, tough potential fixtures such as Italy’s possible entry into Group B, and major showdowns like Japan vs Netherlands and France vs Norway. Some groups appear easier for giants like Germany, Argentina, and Portugal. While the group stage offers several notable face-offs, fans expect the real drama to unfold in the knockout rounds. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
SPORTS NEWS
Sports Reporter
12/6/20254 min read
The new generation rivalry will be on stage for their national teams. A probability of Messi vs Ronaldo for the last time at the World Cup. No group of death is kind of funny, but there are a few spots left behind
Yesterday we had the World Cup draw, where 48 teams were divided into 12 groups. We had a few interesting faces, but things will be better after the group stage. For the very first time, we had no group of death, which will impact the group stage.
In Group A, we had teams like Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, a the UEFA Play-off D winner, which can be one of Denmark, Czechia, North Macedonia, and Ireland. Where a nostalgic click is on the way after the iconic World Cup 2010 face-off, where Mexico and South Africa will be clashing again. Many of us may not see it, but we have witnessed Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic WC goal.
In Group B, we had teams Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and UEFA Play-off A winner, which can be Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia-Herzegovina. This group is kind of interesting, where Canada and Switzerland will be great to watch. But if Italy succeeds in qualifying, this group will be very tough.
Group C is one of the great ones, where UEFA underdog Scotland faces Morocco and Brazil. While Haiti is the fourth one, having no chance to survive in WC 26. Morocco was one of the best teams from the last World Cup. Brazil is not in good shape, but the potential it has should not be underestimated. Scotland was in decent form; they can do something decent.
Group D had hosted the United States with Paraguay, Australia, and UEFA Play-off C, where Türkiye, Slovakia, Kosovo, and Romania. The group does not excite any football fan, as there is no such team that will bring any eye-catching moments. The US and Australia are kind of decent, but it will be the only face-off that will attract global fans.
The next group is one of the easiest ones, where we had Germany, Ecuador, the Ivory Coast, and Curaçao. Group E is kind of an easy take for the European giant Germany. No team like Ecuador and the Ivory Coast has even one in 100 chance to survive against Germany. While for Curaçao, we can just pray for survival.
One of the biggest face-offs at the group stage is in Group F, where Japan stands against the Netherlands. This is the kind of face-off that will attract global fans to screens. The other teams will be Tunisia and UEFA Play-off B winner Ukraine, Poland, Albania, and Sweden. For sure, we will have a big face from the UEFA Play-off winner, where teams like Poland and Sweden have a great chance, which makes this group a little bit tougher.
Group G will be one of the underdog groups, where teams like Belgium, Iran, Egypt, and New Zealand. Why an underdog group? The reason is quite easy, where New Zealand and Belgium were in decent form, while Iran and Egypt are coming with a boost. This group does not have a huge fan base, but for decent face-offs, we are really hopeful.
Group H had a bit of a strong hold, where we had teams like Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, and Cape Verde. This group feels like a death zone for Cape Verde. But we cannot say that Cape Verde has no chance to survive, as they are coming with decent form, like the draw against Iran and Egypt was impactful.
Once again in Group I, we have one of the biggest clashes we are all eager to watch: France, Norway, Senegal, and the UEFA Inter-Confederation play-off winner. The waiting is over as we are going to witness Erling Haaland’s Norway against Kylian Mbappe’s France. For some reason, France has the upper hand, but Norway is in great form, as they already knocked Italy out twice. So we can all hope for a hard-hitting clash between two generational best strikers.
Argentina is stepping into Group J, where Messi’s Argentina will face Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. For the world champions, it is a kind of easy group where I do not think any team can challenge Messi. But as we had an underdog knock last edition against Saudi Arabia, anything can happen.
Group K is also quite easy for Ronaldo’s Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Inter-Confederation Play-off 1 winner. Again, quite an easy move for CR7 reaching the second round, but here things get interesting as there is a chance that we will have Messi vs Ronaldo in the Round of 32 or Round of 16. That is the selling point; things are getting hyped for football fans.
Lastly, we have Group L, where teams like England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama will fight for the next round. Here we have a few face-offs between England vs Croatia/Ghana. But Panama is also coming with high hopes as they recently reached the Concacaf Nations League final, beating the USA on home ground. So they can surprise us here as well.
At the group stages, we got a few interesting face-offs. But the actual show will kick off as the tournament enters the second round. The mega event is set to start in the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.