Fifa World Cup draw: who Asian teams will play, how Ronaldo v Messi could happen

Nine Asian and Pacific nations discovered their 2026 Fifa World Cup opponents when the tournament draw took place in Washington on Friday, while the Saudi-based Cristiano Ronaldo learned he could share a last dance of sorts with Lionel Messi.

Japan, Asia’s highest-ranked team at world No 18, are expected to trouble the seeded Netherlands at the finals next June and July in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

But the theoretically weaker sides joining them in Group F are Tunisia, who qualified unbeaten without conceding a goal, and an as-yet-unknown European qualifier who could be the dangerous Sweden.

Japan target trophy

Hajime Moriyasu, Japan’s head coach, called it “an extremely tough group” but remained upbeat, saying: “We have a shared goal of winning the World Cup – I know it won’t be easy, but I want us to prepare with confidence. We can definitely do it.”

South Korea, led by Son Heung-min, now playing in the US with Los Angeles FC, will be in the mix to progress from Group A, which they will contest with Mexico, South Africa and another European qualifier, potentially Denmark.

Messi v Ronaldo?

Ronaldo’s Portugal will play Messi’s Argentina, the defending champions, in the quarter-finals if each top their group then get through the last 32 and last 16.

Still starring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo will be 41 when the tournament arrives, while Inter Miami’s Messi – who finally lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022 – will turn 39 during it.

A meeting in the last eight in Kansas City would spell the end for one of them in what should be the last World Cup either appears in.

Socceroos and All Whites

“Now the real planning can begin,” Australia coach Tony Popovic said after his Socceroos were placed in an even-looking Group D alongside the US – seeded as co-hosts – plus Paraguay and a European berth that could go to Turkey, who would be potential pool winners.