Gianni Infantino left one of the most striking images on the way to the 2026 World Cup. From the White House, the FIFA president not only confirmed that the draw will take place on December 5 in Washington D.C., but also surprised by symbolically handing over the World Cup to Donald Trump with a controversial phrase.
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“Only winners lift this trophy. The last one was Leo Messi. And now you, who is a winner,” said Infantino in front of the US president in the Oval Office, demonstrating his close relationship with Trump.
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The draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington D.C.
The FIFA leader took advantage of the meeting to announce that the final draw of the 2026 World Cup will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025.
“It is an honor for me to have been at the White House with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, where we announced that the final draw of the FIFA World Cup will be held in the heart of the country’s culture and entertainment,” Infantino stated.
The Kennedy Center, whose official name is John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is the most important cultural center in the United States dedicated to the performing arts. Since February 2025, Trump has been the chairman of the board.
Infantino’s close relationship with Trump
The president of FIFA has shown to have a close relationship with the US president. In the early hours of November 6th of last year, even before it was officially confirmed, Infantino used his Instagram account to congratulate Trump on his victory in the presidential elections.
Then, during the draw for the Club World Cup held last December, the Republican said in a video that “I only know him as Gianni, he is a winner, he is the president, and I am also a president, and we have known each other for a long time.”
The FIFA president was also present on January 20, 2025, at the Capitol for Trump’s inauguration as president, and so far this year he has already visited the Oval Office three times.