Trump says that 2026 World Cup draw will be held in Kennedy Center in Washington
Trump Announces FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw to Take Place at Kennedy Center
FIFA President Gianni Infantino talks about the World Cup 2026 with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday in Washington, DC. Trump announced that the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place in the Kennedy Center.
Chip somodevilla/getty images
President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that the draw for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held on December 5 at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He even hinted at the possibility of overseeing the event himself.
“It’s arguably the biggest event in sports,” stated Trump during an Oval Office press conference where he was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President JD Vance.
The upcoming tournament, which will feature 48 national teams for the first time, is set to be hosted by the United States, along with Canada and Mexico. The draw event plays a crucial role in determining the groups and match-ups for the World Cup’s opening round.
Infantino highlighted that the expanded format will see the 48 teams competing in “104 games over one month,” likening it to “104 Super Bowls.” Trump echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the magnitude of each match being akin to a Super Bowl.
When asked about his potential involvement in the draw process, Trump deferred to Infantino, labeling him as “the boss.” However, he expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating that the Kennedy Center would provide an exceptional venue for the draw.
The choice of the Kennedy Center as the draw location raised eyebrows, given Trump’s previous involvement with the venue. Amid speculation of renaming the center, Trump emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for the prestigious event.
In a surprising turn of events, Infantino brought the coveted World Cup trophy to the Oval Office, a move that is typically considered taboo by players due to superstitions surrounding the trophy.
Despite the superstitions, Trump humorously interacted with the trophy, joking about displaying it in the Oval Office’s opulent decor. The president’s playful banter added a lighthearted touch to the announcement of the World Cup 2026 draw.
