Table of Contents
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is now finished. Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, and Spain, European champion, got easy groups.
The drawing ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. At the event, U.S. President Donald Trump received a new peace award from FIFA.
The tournament will start in six months. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams, more than the 32 teams in 2022. The games will be in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will play against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J.
England hopes to win its first World Cup since 1966. Its group, Group L, has Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
France will play difficult matches against Senegal and Norway in Group I.
For the first time, the four best teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—were put in different parts of the draw so they cannot play each other until the semifinals.
However, the path to the trophy will be hard. For example, if England wins its group, it could play co-host Mexico in the next round. After that, they might play Brazil. England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, said the team must only focus on winning its group matches.
The United States was drawn with Paraguay, Australia, and one European team.
The first game will be between co-host Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11. Co-host Canada will play Qatar and Switzerland.
In the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the next round. The eight best teams that finish in third place will also advance.
There will be 104 matches in total. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said it will be “the greatest World Cup ever.”
Vocabulary
- Draw – a list of teams that will play each other; the result of pulling names from a hat; the action of deciding who plays whom.
- Defending champion – the team that won the last game or tournament; the winner from before 🏆; the current champion.
- Group – a small set of teams; a section of the tournament; a collection of four teams.
- Ceremony – a formal public event; a special party or show for an important reason 🎉; a ritual.
- Hold – to have a meeting or event; to organize; to conduct.
- Event – a planned activity; something that happens; a function.
- President – the main leader of a country or a large organization; the head; the chief.
- Peace – not fighting; when there is no war or disagreement 🕊️; calm and quiet.
- Award – a prize given to someone for success or for doing something good 🥇; a trophy; a certificate.
- Tournament – a competition with many games; a set of matches to find one winner.
- Match – a single game between two teams or players; a contest; a sports meeting.
- Semifinals – the two games that decide who plays in the final; the round before the last game.
- Path – a way or route; a road; the steps you must follow.
- Trophy – a large prize (often a cup) given to the winner of a competition 🏆; a cup; an award.
- Co-host – one of several countries that holds the event together; a joint host.
- Round – a stage of the competition; a part of the tournament; a step.
- Coach – the person who trains the team; the manager; the instructor.
- Focus – to give all your attention to something; to concentrate; to look closely.
- Top – the best; the highest rank; the first place position.
- Advance – to move forward to the next stage; to go on; to progress.
- Place – a position in a list or ranking; a finishing position; a number in the competition.
- In total – altogether; when you count everything; the sum of all parts.
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- The text says the tournament will be “the greatest World Cup ever.” Why do you think this World Cup will be different than others?
- Do you think it is fair that the four best teams (Spain, Argentina, France, and England) were arranged to avoid playing each other until the semifinals? Why or why not?
- Argentina and Spain got “easy groups.” Do you think having an easy group at the start is always good, or does it make the knockout rounds harder?
- The World Cup is now much bigger with 48 teams. Do you think more teams make the tournament more exciting, or does it make the first stage less competitive?
- The tournament is being held in three countries: the US, Mexico, and Canada. What do you think are the challenges or benefits of having three co-hosts?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
The draw for the _____ World Cup is now finished. Argentina, the defending World Cup _____ , and Spain, European champion, got easy groups.
The drawing _____ was held in Washington, D.C. At the event, U.S. President Donald Trump _____ a new peace award from FIFA.
The tournament _____ start in six months. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams, _____ than the 32 teams in 2022. The games will be in the United States, _____ , and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will _____ against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group _____ .
England hopes to win its _____ World Cup since 1966. Its group, Group L, has Croatia, Ghana, and _____ .
France will play difficult matches _____ Senegal and Norway in Group I.
For the first time, the four _____ teams—Spain, Argentina, France, and England—were put in different _____ of the draw so they cannot play each other until the _____ .
However, the path to the _____ will be hard. For example, if England wins its _____ , it could play co-host Mexico in the next round. _____ that, they might play Brazil. England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, _____ the team must only focus on _____ its group matches.
The United States was _____ with Paraguay, Australia, and one European _____ .
The first game will be between co-host _____ and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11. Co-host Canada will _____ Qatar and Switzerland.
In the group stage, the _____ two teams from each group will advance to the next round. The _____ best teams that finish in third place will _____ advance.
There will be _____ matches in total. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said it _____ be “the greatest World Cup ever.”
