President Donald Trump — flanked by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office — announced Friday that the 2026 FIFA World Cup final draw will take place at the Kennedy Center, further tightening his relationship with the global soccer body.
Trump beamed as he touted Washington, the city he recently subjected to a sweeping law enforcement crackdown, as the world stage for the sport’s marquee moment. Infantino, for his part, came bearing gifts: the gold World Cup trophy and a personalized FIFA ticket to the 2026 final – Row 1, Seat 1.
The draw, scheduled for Dec. 5, will gather delegations from the 48 nations that qualify to determine the opening matchups for the expanded tournament. And for the day, the Kennedy Center that Trump’s been so keenly focused on reforming will become the hub of global soccer diplomacy.
Trump has taken a personal interest in FIFA, hosting Infantino in the Oval Office almost a half dozen times. The tournament gives Trump an opportunity to put himself in the center of a global event.
He and Infantino have become regular fixtures together: Trump this summer attended the FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the World Cup final next year, and gave Infantino a shoutout during his Inauguration Eve rally.
Friday’s announcement also gave Trump and Vice President JD Vance another opportunity to highlight their push to “beautify” and secure the nation’s capital.
“It’s going to be very safe, Gianni. You can walk down the street with your beautiful wife. You can take her to dinner if you can get a reservation,” Trump said.
