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Kennedy Center to host 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, announces Donald Trump
According to Donald Trump next year's World Cup will bring $30 billion into the US economy. Trump also justified the takeover of Washington saying FIFA World Cup draw will take place in a "very safe capital".
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Oval Office on Friday and let Trump hold the World Cup. (Photo: AP)
US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host the draw to determine early matchups in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in December.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest, most complex set of events in sports history, and the Kennedy Center will give it a phenomenal kickoff,” Trump said during an Oval Office announcement.
Donald Trump was presented with a ticket to next year’s World Cup final. (Photo: AP)
World Cup will bring $30 billion to economy
According to the president, next year’s World Cup will bring $30 billion into the US economy.
“This will drive more than $30 billion into the U.S. economy and create 185,000 American jobs in a short period of time,” Trump said, adding that FIFA projects 6 million fans will travel to North American cities for World Cup events next year, while another 6 billion will watch from home.
‘FIFA World Cup draw will be held in very safe capital’
Trump also justified his administration’s 30-day federal takeover of Washington’s police force, saying the FIFA World Cup draw will now take place in a “very safe capital,” where visitors won’t have to “worry about walking down the street.”
Trump gets his hands on FIFA World Cup trophy
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Oval Office on Friday and let Trump hold the World Cup.
Only the FIFA presidents, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it because it’s for winners only. And, since you are a winner, of course, you can as well,” Infantino said.
Trump, who held the trophy in his hands, responded, saying, “It’s pretty heavy.”
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He later called the trophy “a beautiful piece of gold” and joked about keeping it and displaying in the Oval Office, which Trump has redone in a gaudy, gold-hued décor.
🚨 LMAO! The FIFA President told President Trump “the trophy is only for winners,” so Trump GRABBED the FIFA World Cup trophy and held on to it
POTUS: “Can I keep it?! We’re NOT giving it back! It’ll fit very well on the wall over there” 🤣
Trump’s having the time of his life… pic.twitter.com/mk28NY2uhO
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 22, 2025
Trump was subsequently presented with a ticket to next year’s World Cup final, which organizers said was the first ticket available for the upcoming tournament.
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