The 2026 World Cup draw has been scheduled for the venue and date!

Photo of Fauzan Saari in Unsplash

President Donald Trump announced today from the Oval Office that the draw to determine the groups for the 2026 World Cup will be held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Trump made the announcement alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a symbolic event at the White House. In an unusual gesture, Infantino handed the World Cup trophy to Trump, who joked about keeping it as a decoration in the Oval Office.

The president has also taken an active role in the redesign of the Kennedy Center, pushing for a $257 million renovation and has informally suggested that the center could eventually be renamed the "Trump-Kennedy Center."

Relevance of the 2026 World Cup

Although Washington won't host any matches during the tournament, it will host the important draw that will determine the initial groups. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches.

The tournament is expected to boost the U.S. economy, generating thousands of jobs and millions in tourism revenue.

What's next?

It remains to be officially confirmed whether FIFA will endorse the Kennedy Center as the official venue for the draw, although the signs are strong. The draw will determine the groups for the initial phase, although some teams will not yet have qualified by then.

For more stories like this, follow More Latin.

Sources:

• Reuters
• AP News