US President Donald Trump has revealed that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington this December. Standing alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino at the White House, Trump described the tournament as “probably the biggest event in sports” and even joked about wanting to keep the golden trophy for himself. 

The announcement confirmed that the Kennedy Center in the US capital will host the ceremony on December 5.The draw for the 48-team football championship will be held at the Kennedy Center in the US capital, where Trump recently installed himself as chairman in what he called a war on “woke” culture.

“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump, flanked by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, said as he made the announcement in the Oval Office of the White House.The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, and Trump has made a big deal about it happening during his presidency.

Infantino, who has fostered close ties with the billionaire US president, brought the World Cup with him for the announcement and even let Trump get his hands on it. “Only the FIFA president, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it, because it’s for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it,” Infantino said.

“Can I keep it?” replied Trump, who won a second term in the White House last year, as he lifted the trophy with both hands.  “That’s a beautiful piece of gold.”There was a brief moment of nerves as Trump appeared to fumble the World Cup before placing it on his desk — as Infantino reached out a hand to steady it.

Infantino later presented the US leader with a giant ticket — Row 1 Seat 1 — for the World Cup final on July 19 at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York.

Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the World Cup.Holding up a photo that he said Putin had sent him after their summit in Alaska last week, Trump said the Kremlin chief “wants to be there very badly,” but that he “may be coming and he may not” depending on the outcome of Ukraine peace efforts.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)