Here's Ireland's potential opponents at the World Cup 2026
SAY CHEESE: FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes a selfie with President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Pic: AP Photo/Chris Carlson.
Over two hours after it started, here is the draw in full. Stay tuned to our website for reaction from the Ireland camp.
Full match schedule to be announced on Saturday. Here at the village people to conclude the event.
Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Playoff D (ROI)
Canada, Playoff A (Northern Ireland), Qatar, Switzerland.
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
USA, Paraguay, Australia, Playoff C
Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast Ecuador
Netherlands, Japan, Playoff B, Tunisia
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
France, Senegal, Playoff 2, Norway
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Portugal, Playoff 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.
Shamrock Rovers' Pico Lopes to face Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.
Ireland drawn to potentially face Mexico, South Africa and Korea Republic.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway.
Group: J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama.
6.46pm Now time for Pot 3. South Africa will play the opening game of the finals against Mexico. Qatar in Group B, Paraguay can't be in C with Brazil so will go to B. Ivory Coast in E. Tunisia in F. Scotland in B with Brazil.
Group A: Mexico, Korea Republic
Group B: Canada, Switzerland.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan
Group G: Belgium, Iran
Group H: Spain, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal
Group: J: Argentina, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia.
6.36pm Korea Republic join Mexico, Switzerland with Canada, Morocco with Brazil. Australia in with the USA. Ecuador join Germany. Japan will meet the Netherlands. Iran in with Belgium. Uruguay in with Spain. Senegal join France. Austria join World Cup holders Argentina. Portugal get Colombia and England will face Croatia.
Mistake by Rio there unfortunately corrected. He wanted to get on with the draw but there is a video of all the teams in Pot 2 to be shown first.
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Group A: Mexico
Group B: Canada
Group C: Brazil
Group D: USA
Group E: Germany
Group F: Netherlands
Group G: Belgium
Group H: Spain
Group I: France
Group: J: Argentina
Group K: Portugal
Group L: England.
Tom Brady starts by drawing Brazil into Group C and Germany into Group E. Mexico in A, Canada in B and USA in D. I will post a full list after each pot. Netherland is F and Belguim in G. Spain in H. France in I. Argentina in J. Portugal in K and England finally in L.
Right here we go. At long, long last. Pot 1.
One more big surprise apparently. And it's Wayne Gretzky. And Aaron Judge. And Shaq. And Tom Brady.
I'll never complain about the UEFA draws again. Well....
Rio saying we can't call it soccer anymore, it's football. Just as Trump had said, just as Kevin Hart had said already.
Rio now on the stage, the draw conductor.
A few last jokes from Kevin Hart and we will be there. Surely.
Nope, another interview now instead of the draw. Carli Lloyd talking about USA co-hosting the tournament.Â
Lauryn Hill now performing, the draw will surely start after this. Surely. Bob Marley's birthday so tributes now being paid to him in song. He did love football in fairness.
Infantino leaves the stage, but only after he takes a selfie with Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaumm, and US president Donald Trump.
What are the odds!
Mexico in Group A as they host the opening match. Canada in Group B and USA in Group D.
Infantino telling his draw assistants how the draw is going to work. What can possibly go wrong.
Here come the draw assistants. The Canada prime minister, the Mexico president and Donald Trump, who has taken off his peace medal.
Infantino back on stage yet again. Says it's for the third and final time. We'll see.
Roberto Carlos speaking now. Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is due to speak to the press between 6pm and 7pm once the draw has finished. So that will probably be pushed back now.
Here is the World Cup trophy and Argentina's World Cup winning manager Lionel Scaloni.
There is a very serious point to be made here on a mere football organisation publicly pushing such politicised interpretations of global diplomatic deals and talks.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 5, 2025
Donald Trump: "This is truly one of the great honours of my life. We have saved millions and millions of lives. We are going to have an event the likes of which maybe the world has never seen."
FIFA Peace prize winner is..... Donald Trump. It's huge the award. He also receives a gold medal. This is the first ever FIFA Peace prize.
Robbie Williams and the former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger sing the all new World Cup anthem Desire. It hasn't gone down well on social media it seems.
5.23pm While there is an ad break, click below to see what Paul Scholes has had to say on Ruben Amorim overlooking Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United. He's not impressed.
I really hope the Republic of Ireland qualify after all this!
Infantino wants the fans of the three host nations to shout out for their own nations. This draw is going to take all night at this stage!
Infantino: "Welcome to what will be the greatest World Cup ever. It's much more than a sporting event, it's simply the greatest event that humanity, that mankind has ever seen and will ever see!"
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is now on the stage. He begins by thanking Donald Trump and the first lady for being here.
Lopes will also be interested in this draw.
No applause for Roberto Carlos but Eli Manning gets a warm ovation from the crowd.
And here come our hosts for the draw. Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart. That's America for you!
Great stuff by Andrea Bocelli. Almost as good as Greg O'Halloran's version!
Andrea Bocelli is opening the ceremony with 'Nessun dorma'.
So the programme for the draw is now underway but knowing how these draws usually work, it probably won't start properly for another bit so stay tuned.
Right, cup of tea made now bring on the draw!
Unfortunately though, this draw is a bit different to the draw leading up to the finals in Japan and South Korea back in 2002.
This time, the Boys in Green have yet to actually qualify but two wins in March will seal their place in the Group Stages for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Also this will be the first time the global competition consists of 48 teams rather than 32, another reason why the draw needs to take place a few months in advance.
The draw is set to begin at 5pm, as will our regular updates, but until then feel free to read your essential guide to the event in Washington DC, including where to watch it, who to watch out for and a look at Fifa’s peace prize.
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