President Donald Trump has announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during a press conference in the Oval Office. The event marked a significant development in the bid to host the global football tournament, with Trump emphasizing the venue’s historical and symbolic importance. During the announcement, Trump also defended his administration’s ongoing crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital, highlighting increased police presence and harsher sentencing for violent offenses.
The press conference provided an opportunity for Trump to showcase his administration’s efforts to bolster public safety and enhance the United States’ global profile. By selecting the Kennedy Center for the draw, officials aim to promote the event as a major cultural and economic driver for the region. Trump’s remarks also underscored his commitment to leveraging major international events to reinforce his domestic policy agenda, particularly in the context of urban crime reduction and community revitalization efforts.
While the announcement is primarily symbolic, it reflects broader strategic considerations regarding the role of public spaces in promoting national interests. The selection of the Kennedy Center may also represent an effort to highlight the federal government’s role in hosting high-profile international events, further aligning with Trump’s vision of a more assertive and globally engaged United States.