By Kunle Solaja

The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw conducted Friday evening in Washington, D.C., delivered a wave of nostalgia as several historic fixtures were dramatically revived, setting the stage for a tournament steeped in déjà vu.

One of the standout pairings is Mexico vs South Africa, a rematch of the opening fixture of the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in Johannesburg. That game, played on 11 June 2010, ended 1–1, remembered for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderous opener before Rafael Márquez equalised late on.

Remarkably, both teams will meet again on 11 June 2026, this time with the fixture reversed as Mexico enjoy co-host status. The match, now a symbolic “tie-breaker,” headlines Group A, rekindling memories of the last World Cup held on African soil.

Another iconic opener returns: France vs Senegal, a repeat of the stunning curtain-raiser of the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. In that match, debutants Senegal shocked defending champions France 1–0 in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history.

Twenty-four years later, they meet again—this time in the first World Cup hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The draw also produced an intriguing scenario in Group C, which mirrors the structure of France ’98 Group A. Then, Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Norway were drawn together.

In 2026, Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland reunite in the same group, joined by Haiti, who take the slot previously occupied by Norway. The familiar trio is expected to revive old rivalries while welcoming a fresh challenger into the mix.

With the return of these classic matchups, the 2026 World Cup promises not only expanded participation and a new hosting format but also a powerful sense of history repeating itself—setting up storylines that span generations of football fans.

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Morocco will enter Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw in Washington with renewed confidence and a sense of purpose, buoyed by their groundbreaking performance at Qatar 2022 and determined to show that their ascent in world football is no fluke.

The Atlas Lions shocked the globe three years ago when they became the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, defeating powerhouses Spain and Portugal before narrowly losing to France. Now, coach Walid Regragui believes Morocco are ready to push even further.

“Qatar was not a miracle,” Regragui told Moroccan state television ahead of the draw. “It was the fruit of a long-term plan. At 2026, we want to go further. We have the talent, the mentality and the experience.”

That confidence is rooted in two key strengths: a flourishing youth development programme and a senior squad brimming with elite talent. Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi leads a team that includes Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat and Youssef En-Nesyri — all established performers in Europe’s top leagues. Emerging talents like Abde Ezzalzouli and Bilal El Khannouss offer additional energy and creativity.

Morocco’s youth system has produced remarkable results in recent years. In October, coach Mohamed Wahbi guided the under-20 team to an unprecedented FIFA U-20 World Cup title, defeating Argentina 2–0 in the final to become the first Arab nation to lift the trophy. The under-17s reached the quarter-finals of their World Cup, while the under-23 side won the Africa Cup of Nations and went on to claim bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“The pressure is already there — all of Morocco wants the Africa Cup,” Wahbi told Al Arabiya TV. “Winning the youth World Cup won’t add pressure on Regragui, it will motivate him. Everyone sees Morocco today as a leader in African football, and that’s the result of a clear project.”

Beyond their competitive ambitions, Morocco’s football project aligns with the kingdom’s global vision. The country will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, a milestone that reflects its growing influence in international sport.

“Hosting 2030 is a responsibility and an opportunity,” said Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. “But first, 2026 is about proving that Morocco belongs among the elite.”

As the draw approaches, Morocco stands ready — not as underdogs, but as genuine contenders eager to write the next chapter of a remarkable football journey.

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Iran coach Ardeshir Amir Ghalenoei arrived in Washington with a delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw, FIFA said.

In a statement to Reuters, FIFA said it welcomed the delegation’s presence in the U.S. capital as preparations continue for the expanded 48-team tournament next summer, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Iran initially said the ceremony in Washington over visa issues.

While Iran had applied for nine visas for their delegation, Iranian soccer federation (FFIRI) spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi was quoted as saying that the U.S. had granted four visas, including coach Ghalenoei.

Mehdi Taj, president of the FFIRI, was not granted a visa.

The United States has long-standing strict visa restrictions on Iranians for .

“FIFA has welcomed the arrival of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation delegation to Washington, DC, including head coach Ardeshir Ghalehnoy, to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw and the team seminar,” the statement said.

“FIFA looks forward to continue to work with the Federation and the host country authorities to ensure preparations for their participation at the FIFA World Cup 2026 next summer.”

Iran secured qualification earlier this year through the Asian qualifiers and will discover their group-stage opponents at the draw later on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

-Reuters

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