VIDEO: Trump announces 2026 World Cup draw to be held at Kennedy Center in December

US President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The event will determine the group-stage matchups and the opening round schedule for the tournament.

Trump made the announcement from the Oval Office, joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US Senator JD Vance, who serves as a vice-president of FIFA. Speaking to reporters, Trump described the World Cup as “the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” while wearing a cap that read, ‘Trump Was Right About Everything.’

Breaking with longstanding tradition, Infantino brought the World Cup trophy into the Oval Office, where Trump lifted it himself, commenting, “It’s pretty heavy … a beautiful piece of gold.” He also joked about displaying the trophy.

The Kennedy Center, currently undergoing a USD 257 million renovation with Trump installed as chair, will host the tournament’s new American headquarters. Trump suggested renaming the venue the “Trump/Kennedy Center,” describing it as a showpiece for the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams competing across 104 matches. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosts, with Canada set to stage 13 games in Toronto and Vancouver, Mexico hosting 13 in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, and the remaining 78 matches played across 11 US cities.

FIFA has expanded its operations in the US, opening offices in Miami and in Trump Tower in New York. When asked whether he might participate in drawing the team names, Trump smiled and said it “might not be a bad idea,” while Infantino did not rule out the possibility.