Trump’s Oval Office Joke Stuns FIFA President, Announces 2026 World Cup Draw at Kennedy Center
US President Donald Trump left FIFA President Gianni Infantino momentarily speechless with a joke at the Oval Office during a ceremonial presentation of the FIFA World Cup trophy. After being handed the trophy, Trump quipped that he might not return it, prompting laughter across the room.
The playful moment went viral online, with Trump fans enjoying the exchange. During the event, Trump also announced that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, will host the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5, launching a year of over 100 US-hosted matches.
Trump, joined by Vice President JD Vance, Infantino, Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem, and special presidential envoy Richard Grenell, praised the event. “It’s a tremendous honour to bring this global event… to the cultural centre of our nation’s capital,” he said. Infantino added that the draw is expected to reach 1 billion viewers worldwide.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first with 48 teams and 104 matches. Trump projected the tournament will generate over $30 billion for the US economy and create 185,000 jobs. Canada will host 13 games in Toronto and Vancouver, Mexico will hold 13 matches across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, and the remaining games will take place in 11 US cities.
Trump also highlighted his $257 million renovation of the Kennedy Center, which he described as a centrepiece of the 250th US anniversary celebrations coinciding with the World Cup. “We’re spending a lot of money, wisely, on making it really beautiful,” he said.
FIFA has already established field offices in Miami and New York’s Trump Tower in preparation for the tournament.
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