The countdown to the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup intensifies as the draw for the 2026 tournament takes place in Washington, with US President Donald Trump expected to overshadow much of the ceremony.

The expanded World Cup, the most logistically complex in the competition’s history, will be staged across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Eleven venues are in the US, with Mexico and Canada hosting three and two respectively.

The draw will be held at the Kennedy Center, a venue now chaired by Trump, giving Washington an indirect role in the tournament after missing out on hosting matches.

The event will feature high-profile co-hosts Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart, with performances by Village People, Andrea Bocelli, and Robbie Williams.

Sports icons including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal are slated to assist with the draw.

Read Also: FIFA Hits Transfer Ban on Heartland FC Over Unpaid Wages

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, known for his close ties with Trump, is expected to present the US President with the first FIFA Peace Prize, an award recognizing individuals who foster unity and hope.

Trump has positioned the World Cup as a signature milestone of his administration and the upcoming US 250th anniversary, while also stirring debate by threatening to relocate matches from cities he considers “unsafe.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will also attend the ceremony, underscoring the tri-nation collaboration behind the upcoming global event.

Source: Channels