2026 World Cup, Spotlight for President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON DC, SATURDAY – The group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup, which took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Saturday (6/12/2025) early morning WIB, was not merely a curtain-raiser for the 23rd edition of the grand football festival next year. The magnificent stage in the capital of the United States was also presented to affirm the legacy of US President Donald J. Trump in the world.

The Trump ambiance in the draw for the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup has already been felt from the designation of the Kennedy Center as the location for one of the important pre-World Cup events. Trump is the head of management for one of the best and most magnificent multipurpose buildings in the "Land of Uncle Sam." He has been leading the management of the Kennedy Center, which is owned by the US Government, since February 2025.

Previously, the Kennedy Center had never been run by a top US official. Trump also changed the term for the Kennedy Center's leader from "president" in 1991 to "chairman."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called Trump twice on the night of the draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. It is noteworthy that Trump is the first US President to attend the event. In 1994, the then US President Bill Clinton did not attend the draw agenda.

First, Infantino called on Trump to become the first recipient of the FIFA Peace Prize. The annual award recognizes a world leader who can bring peace to the world and to football.

This is one of the greatest honors of my life. We have saved thousands of lives. We have stopped many wars in many places.

The FIFA Peace Prize trophy, adorned with gold and featuring four hands holding the globe, was presented to Trump in front of 2,000 attendees at the Kennedy Center. Additionally, Trump was also awarded a medal and a certificate for this honor.

"The President has already assisted in the peace agreement in Gaza, as well as the agreement between Rwanda and Congo. This is what we expect from a leader who supports his people. The President deserves this award," said Infantino beside Trump.

Trump welcomed the award with a smile. The FIFA Peace Prize was awarded less than two months after Trump announced that he deserved to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in early October. In 2025, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Venezuelan political figure and activist, Maria Corina Machado.

"This is one of the greatest honors of my life. We have saved thousands of lives. We have stopped many wars in many places," said Trump in his award acceptance speech.

In a video broadcast by FIFA, Trump is seen in several agreements to cease conflicts between two countries, such as Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, India and Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Russia and Ukraine.

However, the award has faced criticism not only from the global football community but also from several organizations working in the field of human rights. Director of Human Rights Watch Minky Worden revealed that they have written to FIFA to seek clarification regarding the assessment system and the panelists involved in the FIFA Peace Prize. However, there has been no response to this.

“There was no process, no other nominations, and no judging process,” Worden said in a press conference on Wednesday (3/12/2025).

In essence, the 2026 World Cup will also serve as a platform for Trump to be regarded as one of the peace figures in the world today. The United States announced 12 names that remain on the travel ban list to the U.S. last June. Two of those 12 countries, namely Haiti and Iran, qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite the ban, the Haitian and Iranian squads need not worry about their chances of playing in the US. According to the executive order, exemptions are available for athletes and team officials for several major sporting events in the US, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

The issue actually arises from supporters who wish to directly support the team in the United States. The U.S. government and FIFA have indeed issued the FIFA Pass policy to expedite the visa application process for ticket holders of the 2026 World Cup matches, but this regulation only shortens the waiting time for visa interview appointments. It does not guarantee that prospective spectators will obtain a U.S. visa.

"It depends on Mr. Trump. Maybe he will continue that (spirit of peace) and he will open the possibility for fans to come here (in the US)," Haiti coach Sebastien Migne told The Athletic.

During the second agenda on stage, Infantino called Trump along with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to draw lots for their respective national teams. Although it appeared formal, the agenda was merely entertainment.

The reason is that the three heads of state stirred three balls in a draw bowl that only contained the names of their countries. In addition, the trio of hosts had already been assigned their group placements. Mexico is in Group A, Canada in Group C, and the United States occupies Group D.

Before drawing the lottery ball for the US, Trump recounted his first encounter with football. He mentioned that his first football match was watching Pele play with the New York Cosmos.

Then, Trump became the first US head of government to ensure that soccer would no longer be called “soccer” in the US, but “football.”

"This is real football. It doesn't make sense in any other form of football. We have to find another name for the NFL," Trump said, drawing thunderous applause at the Kennedy Center.

Meanwhile, Carney stated that Canada's contribution as one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup is the largest sports agreement for his country. He mentioned that Canada is ready to welcome football fans from around the world. Interestingly, BC Place Stadium in Vancouver will be the westernmost World Cup venue on Earth.

"Football has become the number one sport for children in Canada. Two-thirds of the Canadian population watched the last World Cup. We are closely partnering with the US and Mexico to host the most successful tournament," said Carney.

Mexico will be the first country to host the World Cup three times. Mexico was the sole host in 1970 and 1986.

"We are proud to host the World Cup for the third time. Mexico is a beautiful, extraordinary, and magical country. We have enjoyed the game of football since ancient times," said Sheinbaum. (AFP/REUTERS)