Trump announces Kennedy Center as FIFA World Cup draw venue while praising DC crime crackdown

President Donald Trump says the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will hosted by the Kennedy Center and defends his DC crime crackdown and more in Oval Office announcement.

President Donald Trump praised his administration’s crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., on Friday as he announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5. 

The president was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the Oval Office for Friday’s announcement. Trump, now the chairman of the Kennedy Center, confirmed that the draw for the group stage will take place at the performing arts venue.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, hands the FIFA World Cup Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"On Dec. 5 of this year, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center. Some people refer to it as the Trump-Kennedy Center, but we're not prepared to do that quite yet — maybe in a week or so," Trump said, drawing laughter from the group. 

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"But right here in Washington, D.C., it's a tremendous honor to bring the global event and this incredible group of people and these unbelievable athletes — the best athletes in the world — to the cultural center of our nation's capital." 

Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his administration's federal takeover of D.C. in an effort to crack down on crime.

"By the way, in Washington, D.C., we have the lowest crime numbers they've had in years. Zero. It's a horrible thing to say, but I might as well say it: Zero