Thomas Tuchel, England's head coach, and Scotland manager Steve Clarke both criticized the lengthy and entertainment-focused 2026 World Cup draw ceremony held in Washington D.C., which lasted over two hours and featured performances by Robbie Williams, a FIFA Peace Prize presentation to Donald Trump, and ball-drawings by sports legends like Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal. Tuchel expressed his disapproval, stating, 'I do not like it. We could have done it without all of this,' emphasizing that the event was more about presentation than football insight. Clarke also felt the ceremony dragged on excessively. The draw placed England in Group L with Croatia, Panama, and Ghana, while Scotland faced a tougher group including Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. Both teams analyzed their potential routes through the tournament, with England's path possibly leading to matches against teams like Mexico, Spain, and Brazil, while Scotland could face teams like Mexico, the Netherlands, or France. The tournament will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer, with knockout stages featuring complex potential matchups, including possible encounters with top teams like Argentina, Portugal, and Spain. The draw and groupings have sparked discussions about the challenges and opportunities for both nations in their quest for World Cup success.