VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM ARGENTINE SOCCER FANS / PEOPLE WATCHING 2026 WORLD CUP DRAW RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (DECEMBER 5, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF STREET MURAL READING “WORLD CHAMPIONS” WITH IMAGES OF MEMBERS OF 2022 ARGENTINE WORLD CUP TEAM 2. PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET 3. VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER HEADLINES ANNOUNCING 2026 WORLD CUP DRAW AND EXPECTATIONS 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TEACHER, PATRICIO NEIRA, SAYING: “I think it’s favorable, right? That we don’t face any of the big powers, no bogeyman, no strong European team. I mean, I think it’s good so that, especially in the first matches, any team can start to get going a bit, so I think it’s good.” 5. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE DRAW AT BREWERY 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARCHITECT, CAMILA COLETTI, SAYING: “I thought it was accessible, except last World Cup we thought we had it won and with (Saudi) Arabia it didn’t go well. You have to play it.” 7. VARIOUS OF SHOPKEEPER, CESAR CARDONA, SHOPKEEPER WATCHING 2026 WORLD CUP DRAW 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SHOPKEEPER, CESAR CARDONA, SAYING: “So far, from what you can see, quite accessible overall. Maybe a little more worrying is the issue of the knockout stage, they were talking about Spain, if we finish second or if Spain finishes second, and that’s more complicated.” 9. VARIOUS OF MURAL OF ARGENTINE PLAYER, LIONEL MESSI ON BUILDING 10. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF OBELISK IN BUENOS AIRES STORY: Argentines expressed optimism Friday (December 5) after the national team was drawn into Group J for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan, a lineup fans described as “accessible” and “favorable.” “I think it’s favorable, right? That we don’t face any of the big powers, no bogeyman, no strong European team,” said Patricio Neira. Others voiced cautious optimism, recalling Argentina’s defeat to Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the last World Cup. “I thought it was accessible, except last World Cup we thought we had it won,” said Camila Coletti. Some fans noted potential challenges beyond the group stage. “They were talking about Spain (on the second stage), if we finish second or if Spain finishes second, and that’s more complicated.” said Cesar Cardona. Argentina, one of Latin America’s football powerhouses alongside Brazil, has lifted the World Cup trophy three times, most recently in 2022. The country is known for legends such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, and expectations remain high as the team prepares to defend its title. (Productions: Miguel Lo Bianco, Claudia Martini, Mariana Hernandez) (The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
