Former US President Donald Trump was a prominent attendee at FIFA's official draw for the 2026 World Cup, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Friday, 5 December 2025. The high-profile ceremony sets the stage for next year's massively expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A Star-Studded Ceremony for a Historic Tournament
The event drew a crowd of athletes, celebrities, and world leaders to the American capital. The primary purpose was to sort the 48 qualifying national teams into their initial groups for the competition. This marks a significant expansion from the 32-nation format used in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from 11 June to 19 July.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were also in attendance, underscoring the historic tri-nation collaboration for the world's biggest sporting event. However, the draw was not without diplomatic tension. Iran had initially threatened a boycott after US authorities declined visas for its delegates, though the country later confirmed it would send representatives after all.
Trump Honoured with FIFA's First Peace Prize
A key moment of the ceremony saw President Trump receive FIFA's inaugural peace prize. The award was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has cultivated a close relationship with Mr Trump and has visited the White House on multiple occasions. The decision to bestow this new honour on the US leader added a significant political dimension to the sporting spectacle.
The presence of such high-profile political figures at the draw highlights the increasing intersection of global sports, diplomacy, and soft power. The 2026 World Cup, spanning three North American nations, is poised to be one of the most logistically complex and widely watched editions in the competition's history.
