Mexico City, Mexico – President Claudia Sheinbaum participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw in Washington on Friday. During the draw, it was determined that the Mexican National Team will be the top seed in Group A and will play against the national teams of South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of the playoff between Denmark, Ireland, North Macedonia, and the Czech Republic.
“We are proud to host the World Cup for the third time. Mexico is an extraordinary, beautiful, and magical country, and millions will visit our nation. Additionally, I want to tell you that we have an extraordinary and hardworking people. We have enjoyed the game since ancient times,” she said from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
The draw was attended by the leaders of the three host countries of the World Cup, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Mexico, the first country in history to host a World Cup three times, will host thirteen matches next year.
Those matches will take place in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Monterrey, Nuevo León, including the competition’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026, at the Mexico City Stadium, making it the only stadium to host three World Cup opening matches.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, will be the first in history to feature 48 national teams in a format of 12 groups of four teams.
FIFA Mexico General Director Jürgen Mainka indicated that this edition of the World Cup will be an ambitious event as it will host 104 matches in 39 days with the participation of 48 national teams.
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