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December 5, 2025
Fri 20:22
We say goodbye
Switzerland's group opponents have been determined, and Donald Trump has received his peace prize. After more than two hours, we're signing off. We wish everyone a good start to the weekend and thank you for reading along.
December 5, 2025
Fri 20:15
SRF expert Huggel is confident
Back in the studio, SRF expert Benjamin Huggel is confident:"I think we have a very good chance of finishing top of the group." The former Basel and national team defender would like to see Italy as their opponent in the playoffs. However, he is also looking forward to playing host nation Canada.
Canada is the weakest opponent in Pot 1 based on their ranking. Qatar shouldn't scare us either. Plus, there's another European representative.
(SRF)
December 5, 2025
Fri 20:12
When and where does Switzerland play?
After more than two hours, the draw is over: To conclude, the Village People will play YMCA. The exact time and location of Switzerland's matches against Canada, Qatar, and their European playoff opponent will be announced tomorrow.
December 5, 2025
Fri 20:01
Switzerland with play-off opponent
Switzerland will be drawn directly into the play-offs. They will face either Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, or Wales, alongside Canada and Qatar. The four European nations will determine the final participant in March. A reunion with Italy? For the Swiss national team, that would be a welcome one, considering their last appearance at the European Championship in 2024.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:59
Pot 4 is presented
The final pot, number 4, follows. The presentation is shorter, as six teams are still missing; these will only be determined via playoffs in the spring.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:56
One more interview before graduation.
A short interview follows. Yaya Touré, the former midfield engine of Manchester City and Ivory Coast, rates the chances of advancing from the group against Germany and Ecuador as good.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:47
Switzerland faces Qatar
Switzerland's next opponent has been determined: Qatar will be in the same group as Canada and the Swiss national team. Compared to Norway, Scotland, or the African champions Ivory Coast, the hosts of the last World Cup are probably among the more manageable opponents.
The first match is set: Mexico will face South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup. Interestingly, this exact pairing also played in the first match of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa won the game with a goal by Tshabalala.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:47
Next up are the teams from pot 3.
Things are moving along relatively quickly. Now the teams from pot 3 will be presented.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:37
Switzerland meets Canada!
Next, Shaquille O'Neal draws the balls from Pot 2. The former NBA star picks Switzerland as the second seed. Canada is placed in Group B with Switzerland. This means the Swiss team avoids heavyweights like Brazil, Spain, or Argentina.
Some of the matches involving the biggest names are already confirmed: Uruguay against Spain in Group H and Croatia against England in Group L.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:35
Pot 2, featuring Switzerland, is presented.
The next teams from Pot 2 will be presented in a short video. Switzerland is also featured, with goals from Embolo and Manzambi from the World Cup qualifiers being shown.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:34
The next interview is coming up.
US actor Danny Ramirez has the next football great in front of the camera: Spain's World Cup captain Iker Casillas.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:32
All teams from pot 1 are placed
So far, relatively little can be said: Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady has gradually drawn all the top nations into their groups.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:26
The lottery pots are ready.
About an hour and a half after the start of the event, we are now just about to draw the teams. First, however, all the teams from Pot 1 will be introduced in a short video clip.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:23
The lottery fairies are presented.
Ferdinand will be assisted in drawing the lots by prominent figures from US sports. These sports figures include ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, baseball star Aaron Judge, basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, and American football star Tom Brady.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:18
Brief explanation of the draw procedure
The BBC's current television pundit is joined by presenter and former footballer Samantha Johnson. This is followed by a brief explanation of the lottery process by schoolchildren, with Ferdinand sitting at his school desk.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:11
We are approaching the spheres
We're almost there: Klum and Hart announce the lottery's new head. The next promotional video will recreate a phone call between Infantino and former England defender Rio Ferdinand.
The PR clip also features stars Selma Hayek and Matthew McConaughey, who helped the Manchester United star with tips to combat his nervousness.
December 5, 2025
Fri 19:10
Murat Yakin in the audience
The next interview features prominent figures in the audience. National team coach Murat Yakin is briefly visible, seated behind former Dutch international Nigel de Jong.
Fri 19:03
Lauryn Hill with the next musical interlude
The next musical performance is imminent. Lauryn Hill, former lead singer of the hip-hop band Fugees, was the first five-time Grammy winner in 1999.
In a short speech, she pays tribute to reggae star Bob Marley and also brings two of her sons, the grandsons of the reggae star, onto the stage.
December 5, 2025
Fri 7:00 PM
Next interview from the audience
Next up is another interview from the audience. This time, Mexican football icon Hugo Sánchez is in front of the camera. The multiple Spanish champion with Real Madrid reminisces in Spanish about his love for football and expresses his delight that Mexico will host the World Cup for the third time. It's noticeable that England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, occasionally glances into the camera with a blank expression.
December 5, 2025
Fri 18:57
Another PR film
The wait is dragging on again: Klum will be introducing the next film. This time it's about fans all over the world.
December 5, 2025
Fri 18:56
The host countries have their groups
Surprisingly, all three heads of state drew their own nation from the hats. Infantino then asked for a group photo – that all of this had already been decided was hardly surprising.
December 5, 2025
Fri 18:52
Trump praises Pele
In his speech, Trump paid particular tribute to the Brazilian soccer legend Pelé. The US president affirmed that saying"soccer" makes no sense and explained that "football" makes the most sense. The audience responded with applause.
The draw is still ongoing. Infantino is currently explaining to the three heads of state how they should draw the balls.
December 5, 2025
Fri 18:48
Infantino with special lottery fairies
Infantino promises to take the stage one last time. He will be assisted by very special lottery assistants: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and US President Donald Trump. Each will give a brief speech.
December 5, 2025
Fri 18:46
The host countries will be presented.
We're back to the sporting side of things. The next promotional video will introduce the three host countries and their respective football cultures. The four draw pots are now ready.
