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Donald Trump has announced the date and place for the 2026 World Cup draw.
US President Donald Trump (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington on December 5. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who brought the coveted golden trophy with him, also participated in the announcement at the Oval Office of the White House.
The draw had been expected to be held in Las Vegas — the city that hosted it when the US completed the 1994 tournament. The Kennedy Center, meanwhile, is a performing arts venue where Trump is the chairman.
“It’s a tremendous honor to bring the global event, and this incredible group of people and these unbelievable athletes — the best athletes in the world — to the cultural center of our nation’s capital,” he added “Some people refer to it as the Trump Kennedy Center, but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet.”
Infantino was in an equally enthusiastic mood.
“The draw will be broadcast live all over the world and will be watched by one billion viewers,” he said. “It will be 48 participating teams. There will be 104 matches – 104 Super Bowls!”
Infantino was seen offering Trump the chance to hold the trophy during the news conference on Friday.
“This is for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course, you can (touch it) as well,” Infantino said.
“Can I keep it?” the US President asked, smiling.
48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four via the draw. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place teams will advance to the knockout stages.
Most of the tournament will be held in 11 cities across the States. Apart from that, Canada will host 13 games, including ten in the group stage — five each for Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will also get 13 games, ten of them during the group stage in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Continuing his bromance with the most powerful leader in the world, Infantino was even heard saying. “Everything will start here, in Washington D.C., at the Kennedy Center — or the Trump Kennedy Center, we’ll see how it will be called — on the 5th of September at noon sharp.”
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