President Donald Trump announced Friday the 2026 World Cup draw will take place December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Trump made the announcement alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office. The highly anticipated draw brings together all qualified teams to discover their opponents.
Trump said he was “delighted to welcome FIFA President Gianni Infantino back to the White House for a major announcement about one of the most anticipated competitions in all of sports.”
“This is a big deal, I’ll tell you. I was so happy to get it. The 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s going to be the World Cup as we know it. It’s the biggest — probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump said.
“On December 5th of this year, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center,” he continued. “Some people refer as the Trump Kennedy Center, but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet. Maybe in a week or so, but right here in Washington DC. 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.”
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 03: The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts building is seen on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. According to sales data, subscription sales for the Kennedy Center have fallen 36 percent from the previous year. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
After making the big announcement, Trump said, “I just left the Kennedy Center. We’re spending a lot of money wisely on making it really beautiful. It’s going to be beautiful again.” (RELATED: Donald Trump Announces Star-Studded Celebration At Kennedy Center)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: A detailed view of the Club World Cup trophy before the game between the Los Angeles Football Club and Club América in a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Play-In at BMO Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Trump previously appointed himself as the Board Chair of the Kennedy Center, replacing former Chair David M. Rubenstein. Trump has refined the programming of the world-famous venue.
