It’s official: the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025, marking a dramatic shift in both location and political undertones for one of soccer’s grandest spectacles. The announcement, made by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on August 22, 2025, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President JD Vance, has set the stage for a World Cup cycle unlike any before it.
Originally, FIFA had its sights set on Las Vegas for the high-profile event, with negotiations well underway for The Sphere—a dazzling multimedia venue near the iconic Strip. The plan was to infuse the draw with Vegas glitz, reminiscent of the 1994 World Cup draw held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which featured show-stopping performances by James Brown and Robin Williams. But Trump’s intervention changed the game. According to The New York Times, he personally urged Infantino to move the event to the nation’s capital, a move that has since become a talking point across both the sports and political landscapes.
"This is the biggest event, perhaps the biggest in the sport, I think," Trump declared during the announcement in the Oval Room, with the World Cup trophy gleaming nearby. He didn’t stop there. Drawing a parallel to American football’s most celebrated contest, he added, "It’s like having a lot of Super Bowls in a short time, because every game is, basically, a Super Bowl. Some of them are even bigger than the Super Bowl." The 2026 World Cup will indeed be historic—marking the first time the tournament is co-hosted by three countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and expanded to include 48 teams playing a whopping 104 matches over just one month.
The decision to relocate the draw has not come without consequences. Las Vegas, which had been banking on the event to boost its tourism sector, has already felt the sting—a reported 11.3% drop in visitor numbers in June 2025 compared to the previous year. The U.S. Soccer Federation, anticipating a major press conference to coincide with the draw, had to pivot its plans as the spotlight shifted eastward. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center itself has undergone a transformation, with Trump having replaced the supervisory board with loyalists and even hinting at renaming the venue the Trump/Kennedy Center. The symbolism is hard to miss, blending the worlds of sport, entertainment, and politics in a uniquely American fashion.
Security is also front and center in the lead-up to the draw. Washington, D.C., has been under federal surveillance since August 12, 2025, with the National Guard deployed for a theoretically 30-day period—though that could be extended with congressional support. Trump was quick to assure the public, saying, "So now, when we host this beautiful event in December 2025, everything will be very safe." He even joked that Infantino could stroll the city with his family and enjoy dinner out, emphasizing the heightened security measures in place. Notably, despite the increased federal presence, crime in the capital has actually decreased by 25% throughout 2025, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police.
Interestingly, while the draw will take place in Washington, D.C., the city itself won’t host any World Cup matches. The original host plan included the capital, but the final list of venues features 11 U.S. cities, three in Mexico, and two in Canada, with Mexico City standing as the only capital city to host matches. The tournament will kick off at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
The draw itself promises to be a logistical marvel. Infantino confirmed it will take place during the day, dividing the 48 qualified teams into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to a knockout stage that’s sure to deliver high drama. As of August 2025, 13 of the 48 spots have already been filled, including automatic berths for host nations Mexico, the United States, and Canada. They’re joined by Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, and Ecuador. Key qualifying matches in September, October, and November 2025 will determine most of the remaining field, with eight playoff places to be decided in March 2026.
FIFA has also confirmed a new playoff tournament, featuring six countries from five confederations, to compete for the last two World Cup spots. The playoff will be held in North America in March 2026, adding another layer of excitement to the qualification process. By the time the draw rolls around in December, 42 of the 48 teams will be known, with the final six joining the party after the playoffs wrap up.
Ticket fever is already building. Registration for World Cup 2026 tickets opens on September 10, 2025, and FIFA has warned that due to unprecedented demand, tickets will be released in stages. In a gesture heavy with symbolism, Infantino presented Trump with the first ticket to the World Cup final, declaring it the inaugural ticket for the tournament. Cameras captured the jovial moment as Trump lifted the World Cup trophy, quipping, "This sidewalk is quite heavy. A beautiful piece of gold. This trophy is very fitting to be displayed on the wall there (one part of the Oval Room)."
Travel logistics are also in the spotlight. When pressed about overseas fans obtaining U.S. visas for the World Cup, Trump responded, "Specific countries will be very, very easy, and other countries will obviously be a bit more difficult." The comment, while vague, hints at the complexities of hosting a global event in a politically charged climate.
For American sports fans, the timing of the World Cup draw and subsequent tournament is particularly intriguing. With the NFL, NBA, and MLB seasons all in full swing, the World Cup promises to add yet another layer to an already packed sports calendar. Philadelphia, for instance, will juggle hosting six World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field while the Phillies’ MLB schedule cleverly avoids any conflicts, keeping the city’s sports scene buzzing without overlap.
As the countdown to December 5 begins, all eyes are on Washington, D.C.—not just for the spectacle of the draw, but for what it represents: the intersection of global sport, American politics, and the ever-evolving stage of international entertainment. With security high, demand even higher, and the world watching, the 2026 World Cup Final Draw is shaping up to be a defining moment, both on and off the pitch.
With 13 teams already qualified and the rest of the field soon to be decided, anticipation is reaching fever pitch. The Kennedy Center will soon become the epicenter of world football, setting the tone for a tournament that promises unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and, perhaps, a few more surprises before the first whistle blows in June 2026.
