Is Donald Trump at the World Cup draw? Live updates on president’s Kennedy Center appearance originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.President Donald Trump has been heavily connected to the sports world in his second term, from appearances at NFL games and UFC fights to weighing in on the legal aspects of collegiate athletics in recent months. Now, he’s set to remain a focal point in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.On Friday, the draw for the World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for the 48-team field next summer. With matches being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, all three countries’ leaders — Mexican President Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Carne and U.S. President Donald Trump — are expected to be in attendance.For Trump, his likely presence would be another connection with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, including the possibility of being honored with a new FIFA award.Is Trump attending Friday’s World Cup draw? Here’s the latest on the U.S. president’s presence at the Kennedy Center.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Live World Cup draw tracker | Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup scheduleIs Donald Trump at the World Cup draw?This section will be updated.Trump is expected to be in attendance at the Kennedy Center for the World Cup draw. According to Aljazeera, the White House confirmed on Tuesday that Trump would make an appearance for the draw.Why is Donald Trump at the World Cup draw?There are a few reasons U.S. president Donald Trump is expected to be at the World Cup draw. For one, the event is being held in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center, where Trump now sits as the Board Chair. Trump has also spoken about the World Cup and gotten involved in preparations for the 2026 event, including having a role in working with Infantino to move the draw to the Kennedy Center instead of Las Vegas, per the AP.According to the The Athletic, Trump has previously said he will be “involved” in the World Cup draw. He’s also been heavily rumored to be the recipient of a new FIFA award that will be given out during the draw, due to his close relationship with Infantino.MORE DONALD TRUMP NEWS:What is the FIFA Peace Prize?Explaining FIFA’s Kennedy Center controversyDonald Trump’s YMCA dance, explainedWhat is the FIFA Peace Prize?The FIFA Peace Prize is a new award, which was first announced by world soccer’s governing body in November. FIFA said the award will be given to “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.”Additionally, according to FIFA, the new award is intended to be given “on behalf of all football-loving people from all around the world.”The first FIFA Peace Prize is set to be presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup draw, which will take place at the Kennedy Center on Friday, Dec. 5.“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” Infantino said in a statement about the new award. “Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World will recognise the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations.”While FIFA has not yet confirmed the recipient of the new award, it is “widely expected” to be given to Donald Trump, according to The Athletic. Trump has a known close relationship with Infantino, and he created the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup, which is overseeing and coordinating the planning and execution of events surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupWill Donald Trump pick up World Cup trophy?Trump is expected to be involved at Friday’s World Cup draw, and potentially receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. However, there hasn’t been any indications that he will be picking up the World Cup trophy. Trump has a connection with previous FIFA trophies, though; a replica of the Club World Cup trophy that Chelsea won in July was previously seen on display in the president’s office, per BBC, and he said was told he “could keep the trophy in recognition of the United States hosting the month-long tournament.” Chelsea also had its own replica of the trophy.🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Donald Trump has kept the original Club World Cup trophy in his Oval Office, with Chelsea lifting a replica. pic.twitter.com/bJZVvys9Mz— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) July 15, 2025MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Last time the World Cup was in United StatesRevisiting the first World Cup in 1930Most World Cup wins by countryFuture World Cup locations for 2030 and beyondGuide to host countries, cities for 2026 World CupDonald Trump relationship with FIFATrump has had a close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino for years, as the two have been seen together on various occasions.Infantino attended both of Trump’s presidential inaugurations, per The Athletic. Also, Trump expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which then went to Venezuelan democracy advocate Maria Corina Machado, and Infantino wrote on Instagram that Trump deserved the honor. Infantino later announced the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Gianni Infantino – FIFA President (@gianni_infantino)Trump and Infantino were seen together at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit earlier in 2025. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Gianni Infantino – FIFA President (@gianni_infantino)Trump was also involved at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as he presented the trophy to Chelsea, and reportedly kept the replica trophy at the White House.