U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington will host the 2026 World Cup draw.
“On December 5 of this year, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center,” Trump announced in a press conference. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present.
Trump’s announcement comes as he oversees a 257 million renovation at the Kennedy Center, which Trump has said will be a centerpiece of the 250th U.S. anniversary celebrations next year.
The 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the first with 48 teams and will feature 104 matches.
Canada will host 13 games, including 10 in the group stage split evenly between Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will also get 13 games, including 10 during the group stage in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The rest of tournament will be held in 11 cities across the United States.
FIFA, global football’s governing body, has already put boots on the ground in the United States in preparation for the quadrennial spectacle having set up field offices in Miami and at New York’s Trump Tower.
Published on Aug 22, 2025
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com