Trump Announces 2026 World Cup Draw to Be Held at Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 22, 2025 - President Donald Trump said Friday that the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will occur at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. It’s set for December 5 and is a big step in getting ready for next summer’s larger tournament.

In remarks from the Oval Office, Trump said, “The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest and most complex event in sports history. The Kennedy Center will kick it off in a fantastic way.” His announcement featured FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President J.D. Vance. This highlights the increasing role of U.S. leaders in preparing for the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams. They will compete in 16 host cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament is set for June 11 to July 19, 2026. All matches from the quarterfinals and up will take place in U.S. venues. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

FIFA officials have lauded the selection of the Kennedy Center as the draw venue. ““We are uniting the world, Mr. President, uniting the world here, in America. And we’re very proud of that,” Infantino said, emphasizing the global significance of the event.

The draw ceremony will determine how teams are grouped and when matches are played for the 104 games. This tournament will be the first with 48 teams and the first hosted by three nations. Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualify as hosts. This leaves 45 spots for regional qualifying competitions.

Stay tuned for more information on the draw broadcast and ticketing. FIFA is gearing up its promotions for the 2026 World Cup.