Pre-match: 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw - December 5, 2025 - 12 PM EDT

So we get Paraguay?

 

Ok -- Paraguay. Fair.

 

lol

 

Well, that's a loss for US.

 

Paraguay…I can handle that, especially for an opening match. They’re a defensive side so it’s very unlikely we have a disastrous 2006-esque -3 goal differential

 

Race is on to see which of the hosts gets the biggest cupcake group. Gonna be more groups of death for the rest of the field.

 

Yeah except it guarantees a Euro team from 4

 

Yep. Not great

 

Well, there is a handful I'd rather have, I agree that the goal was no norway

 

Me too, it makes our Pot 4 opponent more likely to be Europe I guess. I think?

Paraguay was ranked 2nd toughest in Pot 3 by ELO, but I'd probably have them 3rd or 4th toughest, otoh, avoiding Norway was the priority, period with Pot 3.

 

Do we have a preference on which European playoff path?

 

This is the most caveat-laden draw ever.

 

Egypt to G. Another possible R32 opponent

 

Poor Scotland

 

Are they making sure the pot 4 teams all have a home?

 

IIRC, our pot 4 team now MUST be European. I'd rather not have to be grouped with Italy, but whatever... Our draw is reasonable.

Canada and Mexico's groups are looking very soft, too. Not sure they're softer than ours, though. The last ball will decide.

 

Doesn't it require our pot 4 opponent to be Europe?

 

Has to be Europe. Each group has to have at least one European team.

 

If chalk holds in all 4, B is likely to produce the weakest team

Italy (A) and Denmark (D) could be ripe for the picking though

 

They’re also constantly praising Judge for successfully opening up an Easter candy container

 

Everyone holds their breath over Norway...

 

It takes a mathematician to deal with this draw in real time without error....

 

Not A?

 

what was that with uzbekistan. Did he pull out the wrong ball?

 

So now if we finish runner up, we have a pretty nice draw out of G (for now, Iran or Egypt)