Kosovo learned its potential opponents in the 2026 World Cup on Friday night.
The Kosovo national football team is in the European playoff for World Cup qualification. If they successfully pass the playoff, namely if they eliminate the two opponents they face, Kosovo will be part of Group D in the World Cup.
Group D already includes the USA, Australia and Paraguay. As the host, the USA has been placed in the first pot for the draw. But it does not have the level of the representatives that were in the first pot based on the ranking. Australia was in the second pot for the draw, while Paraguay in the third.
Kosovo has not played with any of these teams so far. cheap.
The full focus of the "Dardans", however, is on the playoffs that will take place in March next year. On March 26, Kosovo plays Slovakia in Bratislava. If they win that match, they will host Turkey or Romania on March 31. And if they win that match too, Kosovo will play in the World Cup that will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Albania is also in the playoffs. Consequently, Albania has also learned its potential opponents for the World Cup.
If qualified, Albania will be in Group F at the World Cup. This group also includes the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. The Netherlands was in the first pot, Japan in the second and Tunisia in the third. Albania's group is considered more difficult than Kosovo's.
Albania plays Poland away in the playoff semifinals. If they beat Poland, they will face Ukraine or Sweden again on the road.
The draw ceremony was held on Friday night in Washington. The ceremony lasted over two hours, while US President Donald Trump appeared on stage twice. Trump was even awarded the FIFA Peace Prize. This award was awarded for the first time. In the preliminary justification for the award, Trump's stopping of the Kosovo-Serbia war, as well as several other wars, was also mentioned.
Group L, which includes England, Croatia, Ghana and Canada, is considered one of the strongest. Brazil is in Group C along with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti. This group is also considered strong. Group I, which includes France, Senegal and Norway, is also considered interesting. The reigning champion, Argentina, is in Group J along with Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams. They will be divided into 12 groups. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19. The matches will be played in 16 different cities. The tournament opens with the Mexico-South Africa match in Mexico City on June 11.
For both Kosovo and Albania, qualifying for the World Cup would be an extraordinary success.
Group A
1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. South Korea
4. Playoff D: Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, North Macedonia
Group B
1. Canada
2. Playoff A: Italy, Wales, Bosnia, Northern Ireland
3. Qatar
4. Switzerland
Group C
1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Haiti
4. Scotland
Group D
1. The USA
2. Paraguay
3. Australia
4. Playoff C: Turkey, Slovakia, Kosova, Romania
Group E
1. Germany
2. Curacao
3. Ivory Coast
4. Ecuador
Group F
1 Holland
2. Japan
3. Playoff B: Ukraine, Poland, Albania, Sweden
4. Tunisia
Group G
1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. New Zealand
Group H
1. Spain
2. Cape Verde
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay
Group I
1. France
2. Senegal
3. Playoff 2: Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname
4. Norway
Group J
1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. austria
4. Jordan
Group K
1. Portugal
2. Playoff 1: DR Congo, Jamaica, New Caledonia
3. Uzbekistan
4. Colombia
Group L
1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama
Foda: If we qualify for the World Cup, we would have a balanced group
Kosovo learned their potential opponents in the 2026 World Cup on Friday night.
The Kosovo national team, if it qualifies for the World Cup, will be part of Group D.
Group D already includes the USA, Australia and Paraguay.
Kosovo coach Franco Foda commented on the draw that was held in Washington on Friday night.
Foda emphasized for the official FFK website that if Kosovo qualifies for the World Cup, the group would be very balanced.
"Australia, Paraguay and the USA have a very interesting group here. But the most important thing for us is that we have to qualify first. We have two games left, an important away game against Slovakia, we have to win that. If we win that, then we will play against Turkey or Romania and these are the most important games for us now. That has priority. But it was a fantastic event here, a wonderful atmosphere. If we qualify for the World Cup we would have a balanced group where anything is possible. But as I mentioned, the most important thing is to qualify for the World Cup. And if we qualify then we will be very happy for these games," said Foda.
To qualify for the World Cup, the "Dardans" must win the two playoff matches that will be played in March of next year.
On March 26, Kosovo plays Slovakia in the semifinals in Bratislava. If they win that match, they will host Turkey or Romania on March 31. And if they win that match, Kosovo will play in the World Cup next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ademi for TIME after the draw: All teams are to be respected
Photo: Driton Pacharada
The President of the Kosovo Football Federation, Agim Ademi, said that the World Cup draw has pitted teams that deserve respect.
Kosovo, if it qualifies for the World Cup, will be in a group with the USA, Paraguay and Australia.
Ademi told KOHA that nothing is certain in football today.
"As for the group, it can be considered good. All teams are to be respected, because the fact that they have qualified means that they are strong teams. Today in football nothing is certain, and any representative that reaches the World Cup can be declared group champion. Football has advanced and developed all over the world," he said.
He hopes that in the two possible matches in March they will be complete.
"Kosovo has two additional matches to secure participation in the World Cup. I hope that in these two challenges we will be complete and in good shape, without injuries and absences. I hope that the Dardanian Gladiators will have luck with them and secure a ticket for the 2026 World Cup," added Ademi.
Xhaka "enjoys" Switzerland's group
Granit Xhaka has assessed Switzerland's draw for the 2026 World Cup.
Switzerland, captained by Xhaka, is in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and the winner of the play-off which includes Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales.
"A 'cool' group, with interesting opponents. Of course, it will be a bit special to play against the World Cup hosts, Canada. The atmosphere will be great," said Xhaka.
In Switzerland, they rated the draw very highly.
"It's clearly an attractive and good group, in which we absolutely want to qualify for the knockout stage. As a team and also as spectators, we should expect good matches," said Switzerland coach Murat Yakin.
Kosovo, the only potential adversary the US has not faced
The USA has a positive record against Australia and Paraguay, the two confirmed opponents in the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the Americans have played matches against Turkey, Romania and Slovakia, the three possible opponents in the World Cup group. The fourth possible opponent is Kosovo, which has never faced the USA.
"USA Today" has estimated that the European representative is expected to be the USA's main opponent in the group.
"We have to be optimistic," said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. "We have to believe we can advance, but we have to perform," the renowned coach added.
If they qualify for the World Cup, Kosovo will play the USA on June 25.
In Australia, they rejoice at the draw.
In Australia, they consider the draw for the World Cup to be appropriate. Kosovo is a potential opponent for Australia in the group that also includes the USA and Paraguay.
Australia appreciates the fact that they don't have a major team in the group. Australia's European opponent will be determined through a playoff in March.
"There are still unknowns. We have the first match with the winner of the European C play-off, but we are excited. The World Cup is always difficult and we have a difficult group. But we are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead of us," said Australia coach Tony Popovic.
New York Times: Kosovo in the World Cup, a very romantic idea
The well-known American media outlet, the New York Times, has analyzed the European playoff C for World Cup qualification. The winner of this playoff in the World Cup will be in the same group as the USA.
NYT has favored Turkey to win playoff C. Meanwhile, it has not given Kosovo much of a chance.
"The idea of Kosovo reaching the World Cup is very romantic. It will have difficulty getting past Slovakia and, unless Romania pulls off a surprise, Turkey," the NYT wrote.
Paraguay's coach talks about the draw, assesses the playoff where Kosovo is
If Kosovo qualifies for the World Cup, it will play Paraguay in the group stage. Paraguay is a country in South America. It has Argentinean Gustavo Alfaro as its coach.
He spoke about the draw, evaluating the opponent coming from the European playoffs.
Also in Group D are the USA and Australia.
"It's an even group, although we still have to learn the playoff opponent," said Alfaro.
"The preparatory phase will be crucial. The playoffs will also be complex. We know that the team that comes out of the playoffs will be on a par with the USA, with us and with Australia," said the Paraguayan coach.
Paraguay plays the second group match against the playoff team, probably Kosovo.
Kosovo has not played any of its potential World Cup opponents.
If Kosovo overcomes Slovakia in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup playoff and then defeats either Turkey or Romania in Pristina on March 31, they will be in Group D next summer.
In Group D, besides Kosovo, are the United States of America, Paraguay and Australia.
Kosovo has never played against any of these potential opponents for the World Cup, which is being organized in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Meanwhile, Albania has only played against the Netherlands, while it has never faced Japan or Tunisia.
Albania has played four matches with the Netherlands and has lost all of them.
In the 1966 World Cup qualifiers, Albania lost both qualifying matches 2:0 in 1964. In the 2008 Euro qualifiers, Albania lost 2:1 away and 1:0 at home. The only goal in the matches against the Dutch was scored by Debatik Curri.
Albania must first overcome Poland on the road on March 26, and then, still on the road, play in the playoff final on March 31 against the winner of the Ukraine - Sweden match.
These four representatives are in Group F.
If qualified, Albania will play the Netherlands, Tunisia and Japan.
Albania will play in Group F if it qualifies for the 2026 World Cup.
This group also includes the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. To qualify, Albania must eliminate two opponents.
If qualified, Kosovo will be in a group with the USA, Paraguay and Australia.
If it qualifies for the World Cup, Kosovo will play in a group with the USA, Paraguay and Australia.
Kosovo would play in Group D.
But first they have to get past Slovakia and then the final match.
The first match of the World Cup is announced
The first match of the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA will be between Mexico and South Africa.
This match will be played on June 11 in Mexico City.
England and Croatia in the same group
Photo: Associated Press
England and Croatia will play in the same group at the 2026 World Cup.
The draw that is being made has determined that England and Croatia will be in Group L.
England was in the first pot, while Croatia was in the the second.
Switzerland in group with Canada
Granit Xhaka's Switzerland will play in Group B of the World Cup.
Switzerland's opponent from the first pot is Canada. A very good draw for the "Selvetians".
Large representatives are placed in groups
The draw for the first pot of the 2026 World Cup has been completed.
All the big teams now know their groups. Defending champions Argentina are in Group J.
England is in Group L, while Brazil is in Group C.
Next up is the draw for the second pot representatives.
Canada, the first representative drawn in the draw
The draw for the 2026 World Cup has finally begun.
Canada has been drawn first and is placed in Group B.
Mexico is in Group A, while the USA is in Group D.
In what appears to be a prepared move, the US name was withdrawn by US President Donald Trump.
FIFA gives Trump peace prize for stopping 8 wars, including Kosovo-Serbia
At the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA awarded US President Donald Trump the "FIFA Peace Price".
In addition to a trophy, Trump was also awarded a medal, which the US president immediately placed on his chest.
In a presentation for the award, it was mentioned that Trump stopped eight wars, including the one between Kosovo and Serbia.
"It's truly one of the greatest honors of my life. We saved millions of lives - Congo for example, 10 million died, they were heading for another 10 million very quickly. Also with India and Pakistan, we also stopped wars from happening just before they started. The world is a safer place now," Trump said after accepting the award.
Infantino speaks for over six minutes
Photo: Associated Press
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave a very long speech at the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup.
He spoke on numerous issues, then led the attendees' calls for the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The ceremony features numerous artistic highlights. Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger sang a song together.