Fans react to group stage draw at US watch party

At a party in Philadelphia, dozens of soccer fans from around the world beat the cold by watching the draw for next summer's men's World Cup on dozens of televisions.

The highlight is about 140 miles away at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. the leaders of the three co-hosts were present: US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Fans here waited with bated breath as sports stars including hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and NFL great Tom Brady played the teams to a draw on Friday.

American fans screamed with excitement when they were drawn with Australia and Paraguay, but Colombia fans groaned in despair when basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal paired them with Portugal in Group K.

“I feel like the United States has a pretty good chance in the group we're in,” Atlantic City's Jim House told the BBC.

“There are definitely tougher groups that I'm glad we're not in,” he said. “I'm feeling pretty positive.”

Chris Day, originally from Philadelphia, agreed that the hosts have a winning group.

“If they don't get to the round of 16, it's a bust,” said Day, who has tickets to all six games in Philadelphia.

For Colombia fan Julio Maechi, a group including Portugal may be difficult, but he said: “If you want to win, you'll have to prove yourself.”

Ahead of the draw, he told the BBC he hoped Colombia would draw against top-ranked teams such as Germany. “I would prefer to play for a bigger team because Colombia tends [lose] when we play smaller teams.”

“I am convinced that if you are going to become a world champion, it should not be easy. To keep this trophy, they have to earn it,” he said.

When Gretzky brought Jordan into the Argentina group, Hassan Shaaban excitedly shouted: “Give me Messi!” regarding the captain of the reigning champion.

“We know Messi is one of the greatest players in this sport,” he said.

“Saudi Arabia did it four years ago, so why can't we?” Shaaban said, referring to the 2-1 defeat at the last tournament in 2022, when the Saudis beat eventual winners Argentina in the group stage.

Shaaban said the draw will be a big incentive for debutantes. “For our country to meet Argentina, the World Cup champion, for the first time at the World Cup, this is very important for the football culture in the country. So this will only contribute to the development of the sport,” he said.

Fans wearing the jerseys of the national teams they support mingled with each other at the venue, and during the draw there was occasional confusion over why some teams had been left out, prompting fans to deliberate.

Ecuadorian fan Wilson Velez said he was “not at all” bothered by his side's draw with four-time winners Germany, African champions Ivory Coast and newcomers Curacao in Group E.

“I believe we have great players, we have a great coach. I think it will be something very interesting,” he said. “We're looking forward to it. There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore… we’re happy about that.”

Christine Titih is a supporter of Cameroon, who have caused discontent in the World Cup before, defeating Argentina in 1990 and Brazil in 2022.

But with them out of the tournament next summer, she is backing South Africa to face Mexico in the opening match at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca on June 11.

“I think we definitely have a good chance,” she told the BBC after the draw.

Apart from the co-hosts, South Africa were drawn against South Korea and the winner of the European qualifying play-offs. Denmark, Ireland, North Macedonia or the Czech Republic could finish last in this group.

Ireland's Gerry Grace hopes her country can beat a “tough” Denmark team in the play-offs to advance to North America. If they do, he believes they could even lead the group.

“In the World Cup group it seems easier than qualifying,” Grace told the BBC.

“I think we can beat South Africa, I think we can beat Korea, and I think we can beat a very bad version of Mexico at the moment. In fact, we, as a pot four team, could have won our group.”

He was a little more cautious then. “I mean, probably not, but there's a chance.”

The BBC spoke to other football fans around the world who were equally excited.

In Toronto, cheers erupted at Café Diplomatico in Little Italy after the final draw indicated Canada could play Italy in Group B.

“It's incredible,” said Steve Torchia, who supports both Canada and his home country of Italy, adding that it was his dream to see them play in Toronto.

Lee Jung-gyu, 29, a soccer fan from Suwon, South Korea, was not optimistic about his country's chances.

“When Korea go out,” he said, “I'll be rooting for England. I'm an England fan.”

Sean Chan, Singapore's self-proclaimed best Arsenal fan, told the BBC: “As an Arsenal fan, you're kind of biased towards England, right?

“But it's awkward because you also have Kane and Pickford who play for different teams. That's why I think I'll choose France.”

Additional reporting from Nadine Yousif in Toronto, Osmond Chia in Singapore and Lee Hyun Choi in Seoul.