President Donald Trump, currently serving as the chairman of the Kennedy Center, announced today that the venue will host the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5th. The president, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, made the announcement in the Oval Office, emphasizing the cultural and symbolic significance of the event. Trump described the draw as the ‘phenomenal kickoff’ to the global tournament, which will be hosted across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 2026 World Cup will be the first such event in over 20 years to be hosted by multiple nations, with matches beginning in June 2026 and spread across 16 cities in the U.S. alone.
During the press conference, Trump took the opportunity to highlight the administration’s efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C. He claimed that the city has seen ‘the lowest crime numbers in years,’ citing ‘zero murders in the last week’ as a sign of the policy’s success. While acknowledging the ‘horrible’ situation that led to the need for intervention, Trump also issued a warning to Mayor Muriel Bowser, stating that the federal government would take over the city’s administration if she did not address the crime issue more effectively. The president made a lighthearted joke about the city’s safety, saying it would be ‘nice’ for the event and that ‘you don’t have to worry about walking down the street.’ However, he also quipped that ‘you could handle yourself,’ referring to FIFA President Infantino, as a playful jab at the Italian official’s ability to navigate the city.
Trump’s announcement came as part of a broader effort to prepare for the World Cup, with a White House task force established earlier this year to coordinate the logistics of the event. The tournament, which includes 48 teams and 104 matches, is expected to be a massive logistical and organizational challenge, with matches taking place in cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event will be the first World Cup in more than two decades to span multiple host countries, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico sharing the hosting responsibilities. Trump’s administration has been working closely with the host nations to ensure that the event is a success, and the Kennedy Center’s role in the draw is seen as a symbolic gesture of the nation’s commitment to the global sporting event.
The draw for the group stage is set to take place on December 5, marking the first step in the multi-month build-up to the tournament. The event is expected to draw significant global attention, with fans and media from around the world gathering to witness the scheduling of the matches. Trump, known for his strong rhetoric on matters of national pride and international influence, framed the World Cup as an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase its capacity for hosting large-scale international events. While the announcement has been welcomed by many as a boost to the sport’s global profile, it has also sparked debates over the role of politics in international sports events and the allocation of resources to such large-scale projects.
The president’s focus on D.C. crime reduction has also drawn attention, with critics and supporters alike weighing in on the effectiveness of the administration’s policies. Some argue that Trump’s approach, which includes federal oversight and strict law enforcement measures, is necessary for restoring order to a city that has long struggled with high crime rates. Others, however, remain skeptical of the administration’s ability to maintain long-term stability without further investment in social programs and community development. Regardless of the broader debate, Trump’s emphasis on the security and safety of the capital city appears to have been a key focus of his remarks during the press conference.
In conclusion, Trump’s announcement of the Kennedy Center as the venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, alongside his praise for the administration’s efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., represents a multifaceted response to both the logistics of the global tournament and the political narrative surrounding the city’s safety. While the event is likely to be a significant moment in the history of international sports, it also underscores the complex relationship between national leadership, public policy, and the global stage.