World Cup shocks and surprises as 2026 draw delivers tough groups; Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize sparks global backlash

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw delivers high-stakes groups, major surprises and global controversy, as President Donald Trump receives FIFA’s first Peace Prize, overshadowing the expanded tournament’s highly anticipated matchups.

Imran Malik – MediaBites – December 6, 2025

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, unveiled on Friday, delivered unexpected matchups, high-stakes groups, and a global debate that extended far beyond football. As 48 nations learned their paths for next summer’s expanded tournament, an even bigger surprise overshadowed the ceremony: FIFA awarded U.S. President Donald Trump its inaugural Peace Prize, igniting immediate criticism.

Expanded 48-team World Cup brings drama from the start

Held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the draw featured celebrities, former legends, and football icons. For the first time, the World Cup includes 12 groups of four, creating new dynamics and opening doors for emerging nations.

Several groups immediately captured global attention.

Tough draws for top contenders

England landed what many analysts consider one of the tournament’s hardest groups, facing Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. France drew Senegal, Norway and a playoff winner — a cluster already being labeled a potential “Group of Death.”

Scotland’s return to the tournament created headlines as they were grouped with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti — a dramatic and difficult challenge.

The United States begins its campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles and will also face Australia and a European playoff challenger. Mexico received a more favorable draw, while Canada faces a challenging group with Switzerland, Qatar and a playoff team that could include Italy.

Newcomers make history in contrasting groups

Debutants Curaçao and Cape Verde add fresh storylines to the global competition. With several heavyweights facing uneven groups, the expanded format has widened competitive disparities while raising excitement.

The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32, alongside the eight best third-place teams.

Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize overshadows the ceremony

The draw’s biggest controversy emerged when FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the organization’s first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, praising his “exceptional actions for peace and unity.”

The backlash was swift.

Human rights groups, former UN officials and sports analysts condemned the award as inconsistent and politically motivated.
Craig Mokhiber, a former UN director, called the moment “deeply embarrassing,” accusing FIFA of “whitewashing” Trump’s record.

Social media erupted, with journalist Zach Lowy writing: “Giving Donald Trump a peace prize is like giving Luis Suarez an award for not biting ears.”

The timing — less than a day after reported U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean — fueled further outrage.

Despite criticism, FIFA defended the award as “nonpolitical,” though many observers said the moment overshadowed the footballing spectacle.

Full list: All 12 groups for the 2026 World Cup

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner of UEFA Playoff D
Group B: Canada, Winner of UEFA Playoff A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of UEFA Playoff C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of UEFA Playoff B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of FIFA Playoff 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner of FIFA Playoff 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama