Donald Trump Announces Date And Venue For 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

‎US President, Donald Trump, announced on Friday that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will be held in Washington on December 5, and he will have a rare chance to hold the trophy.

‎The 48‑team tournament is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year. Trump has emphasized that the event should take place during his presidency.

‎The draw was reportedly due to be held in Las Vegas but Trump, accompanied by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, said it would now be held at the Kennedy Centre in the US capital.

‎”It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” added the 79-year-old US president.

‎Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the World Cup saying that he “wants to be there very badly,” but that he “may be coming and he may not” depending on the outcome of Ukraine peace efforts.

‎Infantino allowed Trump to hold the Jules Rimet trophy, the prize awarded to the champions of football’s global tournament.

‎”Only the FIFA president, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it, because it’s for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it,” Infantino said.

‎”Can I keep it?” joked Trump, who won a second term in the White House in the 2024 US presidential election.

‎The Republican, who has decked out the Oval Office with gilded decor since returning to power in January, then added, “That’s a beautiful piece of gold. That’s beautiful.”

‎But there was a brief moment of nerves as Trump seemed to fumble the World Cup before finally placing it on his desk, with Infantino reaching out to steady it.

‎Infantino later presented the U.S. leader with a giant ticket Row 1, Seat 1 for the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York.

‎The choice of location for the FIFA World Cup draw however, has deeply political overtones.

‎Trump and his administration led a takeover of the Kennedy Center earlier this year, saying that the venerable performing arts venue had become too “woke.”

‎He added on Friday as he made the announcement that “some people refer to it as the Trump-Kennedy Centre, but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet, maybe in a week or so.”

‎The U.S. president also praised a major federal crime crackdown in Washington, which has involved deploying National Guard troops to the capital’s streets.

‎He said the measure would help make Washington safe for football fans visiting for next year’s tournament.

‎The comment framed the security effort as essential to welcoming international visitors.