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. On Friday, remained a focal point in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The draw for the World Cup took 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 — were in attendance.For Trump, his presence was another connection with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and the U.S. president was also honored with a brand-new FIFA award.Here’s what to know about Donald Trump’s attendance at Friday’s World Cup draw.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsIs Donald Trump at the World Cup draw?Trump was officially in attendance for the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center, as he was seen arriving with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the event began.Trump and Infantino now arriving at World Cup draw in Washington pic.twitter.com/ldAWMOcOwo— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 5, 2025Trump said to reporters before the draw that it’s “a great honor to be here,” and when asked if the U.S. can win the World Cup, he responded that he’s heard “they have a little bit of a shot” despite “stiff competition.”Spoke to US President Donald Trump as he arrived for the World Cup draw.🏆 pic.twitter.com/jvCENZ6nHQ— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 5, 2025Trump also commented on ticket sales for the event.”It’s just a big day, and it’s a great sport … and I’m very happy to say that we’ve already set the all-time record on ticket sales — long before the first ball is kicked,” he said.Trump at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw: “It’s just a big day, and it’s a great sport… and I’m very happy to say that we’ve already set the all-time record on ticket sales — long before the first ball is kicked.”pic.twitter.com/nNMMEcS4WG— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 5, 2025Here’s a look at Trump’s seat in the Kennedy Center for the event.President @realDonaldTrump arrives at the Kennedy Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UuuXmEXfEV— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) December 5, 2025Trump was officially honored with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony. Donald Trump was awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize. pic.twitter.com/GMZXPwlN9n— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 5, 2025Here is the moment the award was presented, and Trump’s full address to the crowd after receiving the award.#BREAKING | US President Trump Awarded Inaugural FIFA Peace PrizeDuring the opening ceremony at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented U.S. President Donald Trump with the… pic.twitter.com/x4X4w9egNN— The Global Eye (@TGEThGlobalEye) December 5, 2025🚨NOW: President Trump speaks at the FIFA World Cup drawing after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize.“We are the hottest country anywhere in the world and we are going to keep it that way.” pic.twitter.com/b3EjKbmJZC— The Will Cain Show (@WillCainShow) December 5, 2025Why is Donald Trump at the World Cup draw?There are a few reasons U.S. president Donald Trump was in attendance for the World Cup draw. For one, the event was 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 had previously said he will be “involved” in the World Cup draw. He had also been heavily rumored to be the recipient of a new FIFA award that will be given out during the draw, which was confirmed during the ceremony.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.”Donald Trump was named the first recipient of the award at Friday’s World Cup draw.According to FIFA, the award is intended to be given “on behalf of all football-loving people from all around the world.” The first FIFA Peace Prize was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 2026 World Cup draw.“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.”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 has been expected to be involved at Friday’s World Cup draw, and he received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. However, he did not pick 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, which went to Trump.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.