In the 32 years since last hosting the World Cup, football has moved from the margins to the mainstream in the US.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomes FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino at the National Palace.
Amnesty International says millions of fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the US face serious human rights risks.
Elsewhere, Bolivia beat Suriname and Jamaica defeat New Caledonia in intercontinental playoff semifinals.
![FIFA President Gianni Infantino, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pose for a selfie during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw. [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-12-05T195747Z_1258219325_UP1ELC51E05TB_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-DRAW_cropped-1773982597.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said his organisation “can certainly not solve geopolitical conflicts.”
Mexican city set to host 2026 World Cup games erupts in violence after army kills the leader of a powerful drug cartel.
Bayern Munich midfielder and German international Leon Goretzka says European teams are emboldened heading to World Cup.
Spain, Portugal, Morocco are tournament cohosts, but FIFA, which has the final say, has not said who will get last game.
The US leader, who has campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, gets FIFA’s award at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington.
Donald Trump was centre stage accepting the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize.
