US President Donald Trump will play a central role in Friday’s highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 draw in Washington, an event set to become one of the most high-profile ceremonies in the tournament’s history.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that Trump will attend the draw at the John F. Kennedy Center, further underscoring his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The two have maintained a strong rapport since 2018, when the United States, Mexico and Canada won the joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
Sources within global football circles say Infantino is expected to present Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a newly created honour that will be unveiled during the draw ceremony.
A Landmark Tournament
The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup ever staged, expanding from 32 to 48 teams. It will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19 next year. Eleven of the 16 host stadiums are located in the United States.
Top seeds for the draw include defending champions Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Portugal, England and Spain, as well as the three host nations. The tournament will also welcome several first-time qualifiers, including Cape Verde, Jordan and Curaçao.
Politics and Tension Surround the Draw
Trump has positioned the World Cup as a key moment of his second presidency and a major highlight of the United States’ 250th independence anniversary in 2026. However, he has stirred controversy by threatening to move matches away from cities run by political opponents if he considers them “unsafe.”
International tensions also shadow the event. Iran announced it will boycott the draw, claiming the US government refused to grant visas to members of its delegation. “It is purely a political move,” said Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation, urging FIFA to intervene.
Historic Venues and Rising Costs
The opening match will take place at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, while the final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Due to the complexity of scheduling across three countries, full details of match venues and kickoff times will only be released a day after the draw.
Fan groups have already raised concerns over soaring ticket prices, especially with FIFA adopting dynamic pricing. Seats for the July 19 final on secondary markets are reportedly starting at $7,000.
As anticipation builds, Friday’s draw is set to officially kick off the most expansive and politically charged World Cup in history — one in which the US president will take a highly visible role.
