WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has revealed that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington this December.
Standing alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino at the White House, Trump described the tournament as “probably the biggest event in sports” and even joked about wanting to keep the golden trophy for himself.
The announcement confirmed that the Kennedy Center in the US capital will host the ceremony on December 5.
The draw for the 48-team football championship will be held at the Kennedy Center in the US capital, where Trump recently installed himself as chairman in what he called a war on “woke” culture.
“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump, flanked by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, said as he made the announcement in the Oval Office of the White House.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, and Trump has made a big deal about it happening during his presidency.
Infantino, who has fostered close ties with the billionaire US president, brought the World Cup with him for the announcement and even let Trump get his hands on it.
“Only the FIFA president, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it, because it’s for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it,” Infantino said.
“Can I keep it?” replied Trump, who won a second term in the White House last year, as he lifted the trophy with both hands.
“That’s a beautiful piece of gold.”
Trump appeared to be joking — although the separate FIFA Club World Cup trophy remains in the Oval Office more than a month after English side Chelsea won it in New Jersey last month.
