England’s nightmare ‘Group of Death’ attainable in World Cup draw and Donald Trump sideshow

All you need to know about the World Cup draw featuring Donald Trump and FIFA’s entertainment with the US President in mind, plus England’s potential nightmare ‘Group of Death’

View Image

All you need to know about the World Cup draw and England’s potential nightmare ‘Group of Death’

• England have qualified for the 2026 World Cup alongside Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland from Europe so far.
• On Friday they will learn who they will face in next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada including the three host nations and teams from Africa, Asia and Oceania.
• The Three Lions are seeded in Pot One along with other big hitters Argentina, France and Spain. But their seeded position won’t necessarily save them from being drawn in a nightmare group.
• The worst possible outcome for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions is arguably a group with Uruguay, Scotland and Ghana.
• Uruguay are a notoriously difficult team to play against and boast several players in their ranks who play at major clubs in Europe.
• The additional pressure that would come with a derby against Scotland would be an unwanted one for the Three Lions.
• While ‘Black Stars’ Ghana would also be tricky customers as they have a litany of players who have previously played in the Premier League or currently do so.
• You can watch the draw on YouTube, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport app, the BBC Sport website, BBC Two HD, ITV X and FIFA’s website from 5pm.
• The official ceremony will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.
• And of course, US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the event with FIFA laying on entertainment with him very much in mind.
• The Village People are set to perform their smash-hit ‘YMCA’ at the event. The tune, a gay anthem once synonymous with nightclubs in the 1970s and darts walk-ons, is now often linked to his rallies – where he likes to dance along to the song.
• The Village People will be joined by Robbie Williams – who finally broke American thanks to his biopic last winter – and will be co-hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart.
• Performances have also been confirmed from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.
• READ MORE: Donald Trump’s favourite band to play for him at World Cup draw with Heidi Klum