United States President Donald Trump is set to play a high-profile role at the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw, which will take place this Friday in Washington, DC. According to confirmation issued by the White House, Trump’s attendance will be central to one of the most widely watched draw ceremonies in FIFA history.

The 2026 tournament will be the largest World Cup ever organised, expanding from 32 to 48 national teams. For the first time, the global event will be hosted across three North American countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada — from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Trump’s Growing Influence in FIFA Events

President Trump’s presence at the event highlights his increasingly close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino has visited the White House multiple times over the past few years and has occasionally accompanied Trump at major international gatherings.

This strong rapport has sparked widespread expectations that Trump will receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, a new award that FIFA plans to unveil during the ceremony.

Trump has positioned the World Cup as a major showcase event during his second term in office and a symbolic highlight of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations next year. However, his involvement has also stirred domestic controversy, with Trump warning that World Cup matches may be moved away from certain cities if local safety standards do not meet his expectations.

Political Tensions and International Reactions

Amid rising global tensions, the tournament’s preparations have not been without diplomatic complications. Iran announced that it will boycott the draw, citing visa refusals for several members of its football delegation. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj criticized the U.S. government for taking what he described as a politically charged stance and urged FIFA to intervene.

What to Expect From the Draw

The draw — held at the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — will determine the structure of 12 groups for the expanded competition. Top seeds for the 2026 World Cup include:

• Argentina
• United States
• Mexico
• Canada
• Brazil
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• England
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Belgium

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 41 when the tournament kicks off, has confirmed that this will be his sixth and final World Cup, hoping to finally lift the trophy for Portugal.

Newcomers and Teams to Watch

The expanded format allows room for several debutant nations, such as:

• Cape Verde
• Jordan
• Curaçao

Meanwhile, traditional powerhouse Italy — absent from the last two World Cups — still has a chance to qualify through the upcoming playoff route.

Venues, Tickets, and Fan Concerns

The opening match is scheduled for Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca, while the final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

However, supporters have raised growing concerns about ticket affordability, especially with FIFA implementing dynamic pricing. On secondary platforms such as U.S.-based resale sites, early price listings show World Cup final tickets starting around $7,000.

A Monumental Tournament Approaches

With the final qualification spots yet to be decided and excitement building across North America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be an event of unprecedented scale — both in global attention and political significance.