US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the official draw for FIFA 2026 will take place in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center.
Trump made the announcement alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a ceremony at the White House. Standing with the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy, Trump described the upcoming tournament as “the biggest event in sports.”
The 2026 edition will be historic, as it will be the first to feature 48 teams instead of 32. The World Cup will also be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three nations will share hosting duties.
Infantino, who has maintained close ties with Trump, personally brought the trophy to the Oval Office. He explained that only winners, presidents, and the FIFA chief are allowed to touch it. Trump lifted the golden trophy, jokingly asking if he could keep it, before carefully setting it back on his desk.
During the event, Infantino also handed Trump a symbolic “Row 1, Seat 1” ticket for the World Cup Final. The match is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The decision to host the draw in Washington instead of Las Vegas is being seen as politically significant. Trump recently gained control of the Kennedy Center and tied the announcement to his domestic policies. He claimed new federal measures would ensure safety for football fans visiting the capital.
Trump also hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin might attend the tournament, depending on global peace efforts. On visas, Trump said most fans would face no issues, but restrictions would remain for some countries due to travel bans.
The United States was confirmed as a joint host of FIFA 2026 back in 2018. With the draw now set, excitement is building for the return of the World Cup to North America for the first time since 1994.
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