World Cup 2026 live: England and Scotland to learn full match schedule after shameful draw ceremony | OneFootball

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Inside Fifa’s shambolic and shameful 2026 World Cup draw

England and Scotland will learn their full match schedule at the 2026 World Cup this afternoon after yesterday’s long, chaotic and shameful draw ceremony in Washington DC.

While every country found out their group opponents in the draw, the exact time and venue of every match isn’t yet known, with the reveal slated for 5pm GMT today.

England already know they will meet Croatia in their opening game of the World Cup – and will also play Panama and Ghana in Group L – while Scotland will have a glamour game with Brazil in their opener before also taking on Haiti and 2022 semi-finalist Morocco in Group C.

Friday’s drawn-out ceremony featured speeches by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the award of a controversial Peace Prize to US president Donald Trump, a performance by Robbie Williams and a complex and at times chaotic draw helmed by Rio Ferdinand, who seemed determined to land as many bad jokes as possible.

England are among the favourites to lift the trophy in New Jersey on 19 July, as Thomas Tuchel aims to do what Gareth Southgate couldn’t quite manage and claim glory in a major final. But there will be plenty of contenders next summer such as Spain, France, Germany, Brazil and reigning champions Argentina. Scotland, meanwhile, will be aiming to make a big impact at a first World Cup for 28 years.

Who could Republic of Ireland face at World Cup?

The Republic Ireland could still reach the World Cup and now know who they’ll face if they get there.

They have advanced into Path D of the European World Cup qualifying play-offs and will make the trip to the Czech Republic for their semi-final on 26 March.

Should Ireland emerge victorious in the semi-final, they will face either Denmark or North Macedonia at home in the final on 31 March.

Win that clash and Ireland will take up their place in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

Ireland sealed their place in the World Cup play-offs in the most dramatic fashion (AFP via Getty Images)

Luke Baker6 December 2025 10:36

Fifa’s bow to Cristiano Ronaldo marks a new low in the stained reign of Gianni Infantino

When you speak to those near the very top of Fifa, pretty much as close to Gianni Infantino’s presidential office as you can get, many still declare themselves baffled by the decision to suspend two matches of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban.

They weren’t privy to any extra explanation about the process or rationale, beyond the brief statement to which the global body has directed media, as well as references to the fact that this was the 40-year-old’s first international red card.

Fifa duly cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows its judicial committee the option to “fully or partially suspend” such disciplinary measures. So, an “elbowing” offence that is normally supposed to bring a minimum of a three-match suspension only brings one. It isn’t completely unprecedented – but it is unusual.

That can be felt in the response of the wider game, as many struggle to understand the rationale. Ronaldo may not have been sent off for Portugal, but he has received 12 red cards. It’s far from an uncharacteristic moment that warrants leniency.

Read Miguel Delaney’s full analysis of the ludicrous Ronaldo ban situation:

Fifa’s bow to Cristiano Ronaldo marks new low in stained reign of Gianni Infantino

The bizarre but unsurprising decision to lift the suspension that should have ruled Ronaldo out of Portugal’s opening World Cup games damages the sporting integrity Fifa is meant to uphold above all else

Miguel Delaney, in Washington DC6 December 2025 10:20

‘This is pathetic:’ Fans react as Trump receives first ever FIFA Peace Prize

Football fans reacted with outrage and incredulity as Donald Trump accepted the newly created “FIFA Peace Prize” during the 2026 World Cup draw.

“This is pathetic,” wrote one user, responding to a picture of the president being handed the prize by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at Friday’s ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

“FIFA is so corrupted man, they actually made a ‘peace’ award for Trump because he got upset about not getting the Nobel peace prize... What are we even doing here?” wrote another user, with a third adding: “He will be telling us from now on how this award is actually more important than the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Others described the handing over of the seemingly arbitrary award to Trump as “beyond parody,” though some looked forward to the prospect. “Can't wait for a South Park episode about this,” wrote one user.

‘This is pathetic:’ Fans react as Trump receives first ever FIFA Peace Prize

FIFA said the president had ‘championed the unifying power of football on the world stage’

Luke Baker6 December 2025 09:17