Draw for 2026 FIFA World Cup kind to favourites but France faces awkward tests

Canada has officially removed Syria from its list of foreign state supporters of terrorism, a significant shift in its foreign policy. Additionally, the Canadian government has delisted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that led a rebel takeover in Syria last year, from its list of terrorist entities under the Criminal Code.

The World Cup 2026 draw took place in Washington, D.C., revealing that England will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L. This draw has generated significant attention due to its mix of excitement and controversy, particularly surrounding the involvement of Donald J. Trump and FIFA's handling of the event.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., determining the group phase matchups for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Notably, South Africa will be making its return to the World Cup after qualifying, while Mexico aims to leverage its hosting advantage to progress further in the tournament.

Scotland's national football team, managed by Steve Clarke, has been drawn to face Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in the 2026 World Cup group stage, set to take place in the United States next June. This draw follows Scotland's historic qualification for the tournament, marking their first appearance since 1998 after a thrilling victory against Denmark.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been completed, revealing the group stage matchups for the nine African teams participating, with a potential tenth team pending runoff results. Notable matches include Ivory Coast facing Germany, Senegal against France, and Morocco taking on Brazil.

Hundreds of Starbucks baristas have initiated an open-ended strike across the United States, a move that has garnered support from various politicians. This strike marks a significant escalation in ongoing tensions regarding wages and working conditions within the company.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review the legality of Donald Trump's executive order aimed at significantly restricting birthright citizenship, a constitutional principle that grants automatic citizenship to individuals born on US soil. This case arises amid ongoing legal disputes regarding immigration policies initiated by the Trump administration.

ECOFEST 2025 in Dakar, Senegal, highlights the role of culture in fostering resilience amid political crises in West Africa. This event showcases various cultural expressions and aims to unite communities through shared heritage and artistic endeavors.