Trump Announces Kennedy Center as Host for 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw, Highlights D.C. Crime Initiatives
In a significant announcement from the Oval Office on Friday, President Donald Trump revealed that the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will host the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5th. Accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Trump expressed pride in bringing this prestigious global sporting event to America’s capital. With his characteristic humor, the president joked about potentially renaming the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” drawing laughter from those present. “It’s a tremendous honor to bring the global event and this incredible group of people and these unbelievable athletes — the best athletes in the world — to the cultural center of our nation’s capital,” Trump stated, highlighting the significance of hosting such an internationally recognized ceremony.
During the announcement, President Trump took the opportunity to highlight what he considers significant progress in his administration’s federal crime reduction efforts in Washington, D.C. He pointed to recent statistics showing what he described as dramatically improved safety conditions in the capital, noting there had been zero murders in the previous week since his administration’s intervention. “In Washington, D.C., we have the lowest crime numbers they’ve had in years,” Trump claimed, while acknowledging the sobering reality that such an achievement needed to be celebrated in the first place. The president also issued a pointed message to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, suggesting that federal authorities might take further control of city operations if local leadership doesn’t address ongoing safety concerns effectively.
The conversation took a lighter turn as Trump assured FIFA President Infantino that the city would be properly prepared for the World Cup events, joking that the Italian sports executive could “handle himself” regardless of the circumstances. Trump emphasized that the Kennedy Center will play a central role in the tournament’s operations, hosting major press conferences and serving as a hub for World Cup activities. “The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest, most complex set of events in sports history, and the Kennedy Center will give it a phenomenal kickoff,” Trump explained, underscoring the magnitude of the upcoming tournament and America’s readiness to serve as its primary host.
The 2026 World Cup represents a historic milestone in international soccer, as it will be the first tournament in over two decades to be hosted by multiple countries, with the United States taking the lead role while Canada and Mexico host additional matches. Trump had previously established a White House task force specifically dedicated to preparing for both this tournament and the Club World Cup, recognizing the massive logistical and security challenges of hosting such global events. The expanded format will feature 48 teams playing a total of 104 matches across 16 North American cities, making it the largest World Cup in history and a significant opportunity for the United States to showcase its capabilities on the world stage.
American cities slated to host matches span the country from coast to coast, including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and East Rutherford, New Jersey. This wide distribution ensures that the tournament’s economic and cultural impact will be felt across diverse regions of the United States, while also minimizing travel burdens for participating teams and fans. The Kennedy Center’s selection as the venue for the crucial World Cup draw emphasizes the administration’s desire to blend athletic competition with American cultural significance, positioning Washington, D.C., as a suitable ceremonial headquarters for the tournament’s kickoff event.
As preparations continue for both the December draw and the tournament itself, which begins in June 2026, the announcement highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and public safety that often accompanies major international events. President Trump’s comments reflect his administration’s dual focus on enhancing America’s global sporting presence while addressing domestic security concerns, particularly in the host capital. With nearly two years remaining before the first matches are played, attention will now turn to the extensive preparations needed to host what Trump described as “the largest, most complex set of events in sports history,” with the Kennedy Center draw serving as the first major milestone in this ambitious international undertaking.
