The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced this Friday that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and not in Las Vegas as previously reported.
The announcement was made from the Oval Office of the White House, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who presented the World Cup trophy during the event.
Trump highlighted the importance of the sporting event: “It’s probably the biggest event in sports,” he stated, while describing the Kennedy Center— which he has referred to as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” after promoting renovations to the building— as the ideal venue for the occasion.
Infantino, for his part, emphasized the significance of the draw: “It will be broadcast live worldwide and watched by a billion people. There will be 48 participating teams and 104 matches… 104 Super Bowls!” he said.
The 2026 tournament, which will be the first with 48 teams and will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature a new format. Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.
During the conference, Infantino offered Trump the chance to hold the World Cup trophy, to which the president joked, "Can I keep it?"
The World Cup draw, which took place in Las Vegas in 1994 when the United States hosted the tournament, is returning to the U.S. capital in a gesture rich with political and sporting symbolism.
However, the administration does not mention the latent fear of thousands of fans that immigration arrests may occur at the venues of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, due to the tightening of immigration policies under President Trump.
Frequently Asked Questions about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Lottery in Washington D.C.
When and where will the draw for the 2026 World Cup take place?
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. This change in location was announced by President Donald Trump, who was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the announcement at the White House.
Why was Washington D.C. chosen for the 2026 World Cup draw?
Washington D.C. was chosen as the venue for the drawing due to its political and sporting significance. Trump highlighted the Kennedy Center, referring to it as the "Trump-Kennedy Center" after promoting renovations, as the ideal setting for this major event.
What are the concerns related to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.?
There are concerns about the immigration policies of the United States under the Trump administration. These policies could impact the attendance of international fans at the 2026 World Cup due to security fears and the presence of immigration operations in the stadiums and surrounding areas.
What changes will there be in the format of the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams. The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage, totaling 104 matches.
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