World cup draw sees Ireland potentially in a nice group if they qualify
If Ireland make it to the World Cup, they’re staring at a potential Group A lineup of Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
There’s plenty of football to be played before qualification is secured, but on paper, that’s a very manageable and very interesting group.
Here is the list of the 2026 World Cup teams drawn this eveningGroup A – Mexico, South Africa, The Republic of South Korea, Ireland/Czechia/Denmark/North MacedoniaGroup B – Canada, Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, ScotlandGroup D – USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/KosovoGroup E – Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, EcuadorGroup F – Netherlands, Japan, Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania, TunisiaGroup G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New ZealandGroup H – Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, UruguayGroup I – France, Senegal, Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname, NorwayGroup J – Argentina, Algeria, Austria, JordanGroup K – Portugal, Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia, Uzbekistan, ColombiaGroup L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
FAI boss Heimir Hallgrímsson led the Irish delegation at the glittering event in Washington, while the ceremony itself took on full Hollywood glam, hosted by Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, with all the gloss of the Oscars.
Earlier in the evening, President Donald Trump arrived at the Kennedy Centre, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who later presented the US President with the FIFA Peace Prize.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Mr Trump described receiving the gold medal as one of the greatest honours of his life.
During the opening address, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen to interrupt Kevin Hart, as he seemed to think the comedian was going to reveal some secrets about the entertainment planned for the show’s interval this evening.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: Host Heidi Klum and Host Kevin Hart during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stephanie Scarbrough – Pool/Getty Images)
It’s understood Robbie Williams will perform alongside Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli and the band President Trump has been known to bop along to, The Village People.
