US president Donald Trump said Friday the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on 5 December at Washington’s Kennedy Center.
Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino and vice-president JD Vance. The event will determine the tournament’s group-stage pairings and opening round games.
Calling the World Cup “the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump wore a cap reading ‘Trump Was Right About Everything’ as he spoke to reporters.
Infantino brought the World Cup trophy into the Oval Office, breaking with tradition that it should be touched only by players who have won it. Trump ignored the superstition, lifting the prize and remarking: “It’s pretty heavy … a beautiful piece of gold.” He joked about keeping it on display.
The Kennedy Center, where Trump has installed himself as chair while overseeing a $257m renovation, will also host the World Cup’s new American headquarters. Trump has suggested renaming the venue the “Trump/Kennedy Center” and called it a showpiece for next year’s 250th US independence celebrations.
The 2026 tournament will be the first with 48 teams and 104 matches. The US, Canada and Mexico are co-hosts. Canada will stage 13 fixtures, including 10 group games in Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will host 13 across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The remaining 78 games will be played in 11 US cities.
Fifa has already expanded its US presence, setting up offices in Miami and in New York’s Trump Tower. Asked if he might draw the team names himself, Trump smiled and said it might not be a bad idea. Infantino did not rule it out.
