In a star-studded event at the Kennedy Center, the U.S. is placed into a group with Paraguay and Australia, teams they've beaten in the last two months.

After braving a cringe-inducing two-hour clown show of a spectacle that involved cameos from Kevin Hart, Matthew McConaughey, and Heidi Klum, the United

The U.S. drew familiar opponents and ones it just beat as part of World Cup prep. The expectations for next summer are now on the rise

The Republic of Ireland will face hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A in the World Cup if they come through March's play-offs.

Mexico, Korea, South Africa — and Ireland/Czechia/Denmark/North Macedonia. Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar — and Northern Ireland/Italy/Wales/Bosnia. Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay — and Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo.