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World Cup draw captivates international fans in Philadelphia
Dozens of football enthusiasts from across the globe gathered in Philadelphia on Friday to watch the 2026 men's World Cup draw, braving freezing temperatures as they followed the high-profile event unfolding in Washington DC.
Co-host leaders attend glitzy DC ceremony
The formal draw took place at the John F. Kennedy Center, where the leaders of the three co-host nations-U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum-were in attendance. The event featured sports legends like hockey icon Wayne Gretzky and NFL star Tom Brady, who helped announce the group-stage matchups.
U.S. fans celebrate favorable draw
American supporters erupted in cheers when the U.S. was placed in Group C alongside Australia and Paraguay. Jim House, a fan from Atlantic City, told the BBC he believed the team had a strong chance to advance. "There are definitely tougher groups out there that I'm glad we're not in," he said. "I feel pretty positive."
Philadelphia local Chris Day echoed the optimism, calling the group "winnable." "If they don't make it to the Round of 16, it is a failure," he added, noting he had secured tickets for all six matches in his city.
Colombia supporters brace for tough challenge
Colombian fans reacted with groans when basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal revealed their team's placement in Group K with Portugal. Julio Mahecha, a Colombia supporter, acknowledged the difficulty but remained defiant. "If you are going to win, you will have to prove yourself," he said. He had hoped for a draw against higher-ranked teams like Germany, arguing that Colombia often struggles against weaker opponents.
Debutants Jordan draw inspiration from Argentina matchup
When Jordan was paired with defending champions Argentina, fan Hassan Shaaban celebrated the opportunity. "Give me Messi!" he shouted, referencing Argentina's captain. Shaaban pointed to Saudi Arabia's 2022 upset over Argentina as motivation. "For our country to go up against Argentina in our first World Cup, it's huge for football culture," he said.
Fans weigh chances amid surprises and optimism
Ecuadorian supporter Wilson Velez dismissed concerns over his team's Group E draw with Germany, Ivory Coast, and debutants Curaçao. "We have great players, a great coach-it's going to be very interesting," he said. Christine Titih, a Cameroon fan, shifted her allegiance to South Africa, which will face Mexico in the tournament opener. "I think we have a good chance," she said.
Irish fan Gerry Grace remained hopeful his team could qualify via playoffs and even top their group. "We could win our group," he said, though he later tempered expectations. "Probably not, but there's a chance."
Mingling and reactions
Fans in national jerseys exchanged reactions throughout the event, occasionally confused by the draw's pacing. The atmosphere remained lively as supporters debated their teams' prospects for next summer's tournament.
