The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in Washington on Friday. This edition will be the largest World Cup to date, featuring 48 participating teams instead of the traditional 32. The tournament will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Trump is already anticipated to have a significant presence at World Cup-related events. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the White House confirmed on Tuesday that he will attend the World Cup draw ceremony. Meanwhile, Polymarket stated on X that there is an 86% probability that US President Donald Trump will be at the World Cup final.
Trump and FIFA
According to Al Jazeera, Trump maintains a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Since North America was selected in 2018 to host the 2026 World Cup, Infantino has made numerous visits to the White House and joined Trump at various international gatherings. Due to this strong rapport, many observers anticipate that Trump will be named the inaugural recipient of FIFA’s new Peace Prize during the draw ceremony.
Trump has elevated the 2026 World Cup into a centerpiece of his second term, with the tournament also expected to feature prominently in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026.According to the Al Jazeera report, Trump has also injected domestic politics into conversations about the World Cup. He has previously warned that he might relocate World Cup matches from Democrat-led cities if he deems those locations unsafe.
As if global economic turmoil and rising oil prices were not enough, the US/Israeli pressure on Iran has now seeped into the FIFA World Cup. Iran has already boycotted the draw process, citing the denial of visas to some of its delegates. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj described the visa refusal as a political move and called on FIFA to step in, according to Al Jazeera.
Where will the matches be played?
The tournament’s opening match is set for Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, a venue that also staged the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. The competition will run for nearly six weeks, concluding with the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. According to Al Jazeera, teams will only receive their full schedule, including venues and kickoff times, once the draw has been finalized.
Trump’s presence at the 2026 World Cup final is not guaranteed, as there has been no official confirmation so far. Nonetheless, a Polymarket prediction shared on X currently estimates an 86% likelihood that he will attend. The president was present at the World Cup draw, and given his close ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his active role in World Cup-related events, it is understandable that online bettors expect him to appear at FIFA’s flagship tournament, particularly the final.
