The Japan Times - How coaches reacted to 2026 World Cup draw

Roberto Martinez, coach of Portugal. Drawn with Uzbekistan, a qualifier and Colombia in Group K:

"I think contenders is the right word. But I think the favorites are the teams that have won the World Cup before because there is a psychological aspect... I think we have to grow still, but we are full of hope and excitement.

"The 1966 team of Eusebio is the reference point for us... We have won the European Championship and the Nations League and now I think it is very important that we should be able to fight for the dream we all have, to do something we have never done before."

On Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity: "I think the secret he has is that he works every day as if it were the last day of his career... He never loses his hunger, he is an example for all of us. He is our captain, a reference for us, and very important for us."

Walid Regragui, coach of Morocco. Drawn with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

"We're playing against one of the favorites (Brazil) right from the start, and they are playing one of the favorites right from the start," a confident Regragui said of Morocco's opening match against the five-time World Cup winners.

"Whatever happens, Brazil remain Brazil. They are always potential winners. Having one of the potential winners in our group, and to play them in the first game, is never easy. They have picked up one of best coaches in the world (Carlo Ancelotti) with lots of experience -- he will give them serenity. We will try to be up to the task to make our fans proud."

Steve Clarke, coach of Scotland. Drawn with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in Group C:

"Brazil are an institution, if you like, they are one of the top teams. You always want to play against Brazil, so we have the chance to do that and I am pretty sure we will give them a good game.

"It will be a tough game as always -- it will be (the) third game in the group. Hopefully we (will) have some points in the bag before we play them, but to get to a World Cup for a country like Scotland, it has taken us a long time to get back here -- 1998 was the last time, so we were determined to get there and do well... Every game in the World Cup is special –- we don't get there very often so every game is special for us."

Bubista, coach of first-time qualifiers Cape Verde. Drawn with Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H:

"We want to show people who we are (and) play with heart, a good attitude and a lot of humility. It is not a matter of being afraid of Spain. I am pleased to be playing against Spain because I played in Spain for (club side) Badajoz. It is just about enjoying the game, against a team we obviously need to be very wary of.

"It means a lot for us, for our country –- everyone will be watching. Our country will be better known around the world... We won our qualifying group and we are very proud to be in our first World Cup."

Dick Advocaat, coach of Curacao, also making their World Cup debut. Drawn with Germany,Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E:

"Three difficult teams for us but in principle every game is difficult. It is exciting to play there at the highest level and we will see what we can do.

"One thing is that we have a team with a lot of fighters and I know from experience we are always difficult to beat, so every opponent we come up against will have to play very well. It is exciting for the island, the people are so proud."

T.Shimizu--JT