US President Donald Trump announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Washington on December 5. The event will be held at the Kennedy Center, which Trump has recently taken under his control. Standing in the Oval Office with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump described the World Cup as “the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports.”
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Trump has often highlighted the event as a major achievement happening during his presidency.
Trump Jokes About Keeping the Trophy
During the announcement, Infantino brought the famous golden World Cup trophy with him. He explained that only heads of state, FIFA officials, and winners are allowed to touch it. Smiling, he told Trump, “Since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino lets @POTUS hold the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy in the Oval Office:
“It’s for winners only — and since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it…”
“Can I keep it?” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/JqV8hoEUpO
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 22, 2025
Trump lifted the trophy and asked, “Can I keep it?” before admiring it as “a beautiful piece of gold.”
There was a brief moment of tension when Trump almost fumbled the trophy before carefully placing it on his desk. Infantino, standing close by, reached out as if to steady it.
Interestingly, the FIFA Club World Cup trophy is still in the Oval Office more than a month after Chelsea won it in New Jersey, raising questions about Trump’s fondness for football silverware.
A VIP Ticket and Putin’s Possible Visit
Infantino also presented Trump with a symbolic giant ticket for the World Cup final, which will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The ticket was marked “Row 1, Seat 1.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino presents @POTUS with the FIRST ticket to the 2026 World Cup Final.
“It’s of course row one, seat one… it’s ticket number 45/47.” pic.twitter.com/CTvGo215Jr
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 22, 2025
Trump added to the drama by suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin might attend the World Cup. Holding a photo sent by Putin after their Alaska summit, Trump said, “He wants to be there very badly, but he may be coming and he may not depending on the outcome of Ukraine peace efforts.”
Trump’s Role in the 2026 World Cup Bid
The United States, Canada, and Mexico were named as joint hosts of the 2026 tournament during Trump’s first term in 2018. Though Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, he won a second term in 2024, ensuring that the tournament will be staged under his leadership.
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Since his return, Trump has introduced strict immigration rules. However, he reassured football fans that getting visas for the World Cup would be simple. “It would be very easy for most World Cup fans,” he said. For visitors from certain countries, he admitted, “it would be obviously a little bit more difficult.”
The “Trump-Kennedy Center”
The choice of venue for the World Cup draw has raised eyebrows. The draw was initially expected in Las Vegas, but Washington’s Kennedy Center was chosen instead. Trump recently led a takeover of the Kennedy Center, saying it had become too “woke.”
“Some people refer to it as the Trump-Kennedy Center, but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet, maybe in a week or so,” Trump joked.
He also said he plans to “beautify” the historic venue with upgrades, including marble cladding.
Security in Washington for World Cup Fans
Trump used the announcement to highlight his crime crackdown in Washington, which included deploying US National Guard troops to the capital’s streets. He said this move would ensure safety for the millions of football fans expected to attend.
“This will make Washington safe for football fans,” he said, adding that security will be a top priority throughout the tournament.
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