US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the 2026 World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center, after his administration took over the cultural center in Washington, D.C.
“The draw will be held on December 5,” Trump said in the Oval Office, flanked by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Vice President Vance, and Special Envoy Ric Grenell, who serves as interim executive director of the Kennedy Center.
The draw was originally expected to be held in Las Vegas, but due to the close relationship between Trump and Infantino, it was moved to Washington at the US president’s request.
“The World Cup draw will determine the group stage of the competition,” Trump explained, noting that the event will feature 48 teams in 104 matches across 16 cities in North America.
Trump described the World Cup as “the greatest sporting event.”
He said, “It’s a great honor to host this global event, this wonderful group of people, and these amazing athletes, the best athletes in the world, in the cultural center of our nation’s capital.”
The president had visited the Kennedy Center earlier in the day and met with contractors to review work he said was needed at the institution. Trump said that by the time of the lottery in December, the Kennedy Center would be in better condition.
He said of the lottery, “By then, it’ll be in better condition. We’re working on it.”
Infantino brought the World Cup trophy with him to the Oval Office and handed it to Trump.
“It’s only for winners, and since you’re a winner, you can touch it too,” Infantino said, noting that the last player to hold it was Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi.
Trump responded with a laugh, “Can I keep it? We’re not giving it back.”
