2026 World Cup Draw: Uruguayan Journalist Alejandro Figueredo Hopes for Ghana–Uruguay Clash
Uruguayan journalist Alejandro Figueredo has expressed his desire to see Ghana paired with Uruguay once again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, potentially setting up a third consecutive group-stage meeting between the two nations.
Ghana and Uruguay share one of the most emotionally charged rivalries in modern World Cup history. Their first encounter came at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a match forever remembered for Luis Suárez’s dramatic handball in the dying moments of the quarter-final—an incident that denied the Black Stars a historic semi-final place. Uruguay would go on to win the penalty shootout, leaving Ghana and much of Africa heartbroken.
The rivalry was renewed twelve years later at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Ghana had the opportunity to exact revenge. However, despite controlling large spells of the match, the Black Stars once again fell short, allowing Uruguay to come out on top, even though both teams were eliminated at the group stage.
Speaking to Benjamin Kofi Asamoah, Head of Sport Blitz 360, ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, Figueredo admitted he holds fond memories of both encounters, having been on the winning side as a Uruguayan commentator.
“Oh, I love you guys because I have very good memories from the game against Ghana in South Africa,” Figueredo said. “I was there calling the game for Uruguay, and for me, it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my career as a journalist. Obviously, everyone remembers that match very well. Then we met again in Qatar in 2022, different situation, but maybe, why not, we can meet again next year. I have very good memories, obviously, from Ghana.”
When asked directly whether he would like to see Ghana and Uruguay drawn in the same group once again, Figueredo responded positively.
“Yeah, probably. Why not? It’s one of the possibilities,” he said. “We are very excited about the group draw for Uruguay.”
However, Figueredo also explained the technical restrictions surrounding the draw, noting that Uruguay’s placement in Pot 2 limits certain matchups.
“We know that we can’t be in the same group as other CONMEBOL teams or teams from our pot. Uruguay will be in Pot 2, and we also can’t face the play-off winner involving Bolivia, because Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq are in the same play-off path,” he explained.
The official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Friday, December 5, starting at 4:30 p.m. GMT.
Should the draw align once again, a Ghana–Uruguay reunion would reignite one of the World Cup’s most dramatic storylines—one that continues to stir strong emotions among fans on both sides.
