GENEVA (AP) — Iran will play at least one of its World Cup matches in the United States though the tournament draw on Friday avoided a group-stage clash between the geopolitical rivals.

The draw for the tournament took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and followed President Donald Trump receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. The full results of the draw can be seen here and you can also watch The Athletic FC Podcast team’s reaction to the ceremony on YouTube.

Cristiano Ronaldo will head once more into the breach as the evergreen forward contests what will surely be his final World Cup with Portugal. Ronaldo will be 41 by the time the 2026 tournament kicks off in North America, but international football’s all-time record goal scorer retains his insatiable appetite for finding the back of the net.

It's almost time, the stage is set, and the FIFA World Cup draw is nearly here as on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., every team will find out their group. Last week, FIFA released the final pots for the 48 teams taking part in the World Cup.

Houston is preparing for an unprecedented economic surge as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring in $1.5 billion and attract nearly 500,000 visitors across the region.

Three host countries, 16 cities and 48 nations are represented, meaning the draw comes with mouth-watering permutations and possibilities.

The Socceroos will take on hosts USA, Paraguay and one of Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo in next year's World Cup group stages after avoiding football's biggest guns in the draw in Washington DC.

Steve Clarke's side will face five-time champions Brazil and Morocco - both beat Scotland at the 1998 World Cup - as well as Haiti, who are returning to the finals for the first time since 1974. Scotland open against Haiti on 13 June,