<ul><li>Spain, Argentina, France, England will be top seeds</li><li>Fifa says measure will ‘ensure competitive balance’</li></ul>The four highest-placed teams in Fifa’s rankings have had a pathway cleared to meet in the World Cup semi-finals after tennis-style seeding measures were introduced in the name of “ensuring competitive balance”.Spain, Argentina, France and England – the top four in descending order – are to be split into different brackets in the 48-team finals tournament, with the aim of preventing Spain from facing Argentina, or England from playing France, before a possible final. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/25/world-cup-2026-draw-tennis-seed-system-spain-argentina-france-england">Continue reading...</a>

سيتبنى سحب قرعة كأس العالم 2026 نظام تصنيف على غرار التنس لأفضل أربعة فرق: إسبانيا، الأرجنتين، فرنسا، وإنجلترا. يهدف هذا النظام إلى ضمان التوازن التنافسي من خلال منع هذه الفرق من مواجهة بعضها البعض حتى نصف النهائي، مما يعزز هيكل البطولة.

El sorteo de la Copa del Mundo 2026 adoptará un sistema de siembra al estilo del tenis para sus cuatro mejores equipos: España, Argentina, Francia e Inglaterra. Este sistema tiene como objetivo garantizar un equilibrio competitivo al evitar que estos equipos se enfrenten antes de las semifinales, mejorando así la estructura del torneo.

Le tirage au sort de la Coupe du Monde 2026 adoptera un système de classement inspiré du tennis pour ses quatre meilleures équipes : Espagne, Argentine, France et Angleterre. Ce système vise à garantir un équilibre compétitif en empêchant ces équipes de s'affronter avant les demi-finales, améliorant ainsi la structure du tournoi.

The World Cup 2026 draw will implement a tennis-style seeding system for its top four teams: Spain, Argentina, France, and England. This system aims to ensure competitive balance by preventing these teams from facing each other until the semi-finals, thereby enhancing the tournament's structure.

World Cup 2026 draw to adopt tennis-style system for the four top seeds

<ul><li>Robbie Williams will also perform at Friday’s event</li><li>Trump expected to receive Fifa’s new peace award</li></ul>Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and the Village People are to perform as part of a “world-class entertainment line-up” during Friday’s draw for the 2026 men’s football World Cup. The draw for next year’s tournament will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with model and TV personality Heidi Klum, comedian Kevin Hart and actor Danny Ramirez co-hosting the event.The Village People will perform YMCA to cap off an event that promises have distinctly Trumpian overtones. The disco hit became a staple at Donald Trump’s campaign rallies and Mar-a-Lago fundraisers. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/03/world-cup-draw-village-people-robbie-williams-fifa-trump">Continue reading...</a>

سيُقام سحب قرعة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 في مركز كينيدي في واشنطن العاصمة، مع عروض لكل من روبي ويليامز، أندريا بوتشيلي، وقرية الناس، الذين من المتوقع أن يقدموا أغنيتهم الشهيرة YMCA. سيكون الحدث مشتركًا بين هايدي كلوم، كيفن هارت، وداني راميريز، ومن المقرر أن يُعقد في 5 ديسمبر 2025.

El sorteo de la Copa Mundial de Fútbol 2026 se llevará a cabo en el Kennedy Center de Washington, D.C., con actuaciones de Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli y los Village People, quienes se espera que interpreten su icónica canción YMCA. El evento será co-presentado por Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart y Danny Ramirez, y está programado para el 5 de diciembre de 2025.

Le tirage au sort de la Coupe du Monde de football 2026 se déroulera au Kennedy Center à Washington, D.C., avec des performances de Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli et des Village People, qui devraient interpréter leur célèbre chanson YMCA. L'événement sera co-animé par Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart et Danny Ramirez, et est prévu pour le 5 décembre 2025.

The draw for the 2026 men's football World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., featuring performances by Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, and the Village People, with the latter expected to perform their iconic song YMCA. The event is co-hosted by Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart, and Danny Ramirez, and is set for December 5, 2025.

Village People lead ‘world-class line-up’ for Trump-tinged World Cup 2026 draw

Steve Witkoff is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Plus, a new book highlights the forgotten builders of the Empire State Building<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2018/sep/17/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed">Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here</a></li></ul>Good morning.The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said she fears talks between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/01/diplomacy-talks-negotiations-end-ukraine-war-russia-eu-kaja-kallas">pile pressure on Ukraine to make concessions</a>.What did Kallas say? “I am afraid that all the pressure will be put on the victim,” she said. “In order to have peace, we shouldn’t lose focus that it’s actually Russia who has started this war [and is] targeting civilians”.What’s happening today? Witkoff is meeting Putin in Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, continues his diplomatic push to rally support from European allies, visiting Ireland today after France on Monday.This is a developing story. Follow our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/dec/02/ukraine-war-live-trump-peace-deal-witkoff-to-meet-putin">live blog here</a>.What did Maduro say? He reportedly refused to step down immediately and allegedly made a series of counter-demands, including worldwide immunity from prosecution and being allowed to cede political control but keep control of the armed forces.What is the context? The US has undertaken <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/24/visual-guide-us-military-presence-caribbean">three months of deadly airstrikes</a> on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have killed at least 83 people – attacks the UN and other humanitarian organisations have described as extrajudicial executions. The US accuses Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking.Is Venezuela a major drug-trafficking route to the US? No. A 2020 report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration estimated 74% of the cocaine reaching the US had arrived via the Pacific, and only 8% on fast boats from the Caribbean islands. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/02/first-thing-eu-foreign-policy-chief-warns-us-russia-talks-may-pressure-kyiv-to-make-concessions">Continue reading...</a>

أعربت كاجا كلاس، رئيسة السياسة الخارجية للاتحاد الأوروبي، عن مخاوفها من أن المحادثات المقبلة بين المبعوث الخاص الأمريكي ستيف ويتكوف والرئيس الروسي فلاديمير بوتين قد تضغط بشكل غير عادل على أوكرانيا لتقديم تنازلات. وأكدت كلاس أن التركيز يجب أن يبقى على دور روسيا في بدء النزاع واستهداف المدنيين.

La jefa de la política exterior de la UE, Kaja Kallas, expresó su preocupación de que las próximas conversaciones entre el enviado especial de EE. UU., Steve Witkoff, y el presidente ruso, Vladimir Putin, puedan ejercer una presión indebida sobre Ucrania para que haga concesiones. Kallas enfatizó que el enfoque debe permanecer en el papel de Rusia en el inicio del conflicto y en el ataque a civiles.

La cheffe de la politique étrangère de l'UE, Kaja Kallas, a exprimé ses inquiétudes quant aux prochaines discussions entre l'envoyé spécial américain Steve Witkoff et le président russe Vladimir Poutine, qui pourraient exercer une pression indue sur l'Ukraine pour qu'elle fasse des concessions. Kallas a souligné que l'accent devait rester sur le rôle de la Russie dans le déclenchement du conflit et le ciblage des civils.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concerns that upcoming talks between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin may exert undue pressure on Ukraine to concede in ongoing negotiations. Kallas emphasized that the focus should remain on Russia's role in initiating the conflict and targeting civilians.

EU foreign policy chief warns US-Russia talks may pressure Kyiv to make concessions | First Thing

Your essential guide to Friday’s draw in Washington DC, including where to watch it, who to watch out for and a look at Fifa’s peace prizeThe <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-football">World Cup</a> draw will start at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center at 12pm local time on Friday 5 December (5pm GMT/4am Saturday AEST). Although don’t worry if you tune in late: based on previous draws there will be a few speeches about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some interpretive dance about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some videos with kids kicking a ball about to show that Fifa is on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, and then, hopefully, Fifa actually bringing about world peace via the medium of football. And if you miss any of that, don’t worry Fifa will also be awarding a peace prize to the person most likely to bring about world peace in the next few months (more on that zinger later). At some point in all of that, they’ll place teams into groups and at long last give this expanded tournament an actual schedule. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/02/world-cup-2026-draw-which-teams-have-qualified-and-how-does-it-work">Continue reading...</a>

سيقام سحب قرعة كأس العالم 2026 في مركز كينيدي في واشنطن العاصمة في 5 ديسمبر، بدءًا من الساعة 12 ظهرًا بالتوقيت المحلي. سيتضمن الحدث مجموعة متنوعة من العروض، بما في ذلك الخطب والعروض، التي تبرز التزام الفيفا بالترويج للسلام من خلال كرة القدم. ستحدد هذه القرعة المواجهات في البطولة، التي يُتوقع أن تكون واحدة من أكبر الأحداث الرياضية على مستوى العالم.

El sorteo de la Copa Mundial 2026 se llevará a cabo en el Kennedy Center de Washington, D.C., el 5 de diciembre, comenzando a las 12 PM hora local. El evento contará con diversas presentaciones, incluidos discursos y actuaciones, que resaltan el compromiso de la FIFA de promover la paz a través del fútbol. Este sorteo determinará los emparejamientos para el torneo, que se anticipa como uno de los eventos deportivos más grandes a nivel mundial.

Le tirage au sort de la Coupe du Monde 2026 se déroulera au Kennedy Center à Washington, D.C., le 5 décembre, à partir de 12h00, heure locale. L'événement comprendra diverses présentations, y compris des discours et des performances, mettant en avant l'engagement de la FIFA à promouvoir la paix à travers le football. Ce tirage déterminera les affrontements pour le tournoi, qui est attendu comme l'un des plus grands événements sportifs au monde.

The World Cup 2026 draw is set to take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, starting at 12 PM local time. The event will feature various presentations, including speeches and performances, highlighting FIFA's commitment to promoting peace through football. This draw will determine the matchups for the tournament, which is anticipated to be one of the largest sporting events globally.

World Cup 2026 draw to adopt tennis-style system for the four top seeds

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