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

"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. 

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 murders in the last week since we've done this. That's the first time in memory that that's happened. If you can believe it. How pathetic that is to have to even say it."

Trump quipped to Infantino that the city "will be nice" just in time for the draw, joking that the Italian sports figure "could handle yourself" regardless. 

"The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest, most complex set of events in sports history, and the Kennedy Center will give it a phenomenal kickoff and will be involved, and they'll be working over there for quite a bit of time. We have it all set so that they can stay there for the big events, the big press conferences and everything else. And they'll be in a very safe capital. That will be nice. You don't have to worry about walking down the street, Johnny, okay? But you could handle yourself."

Trump established a White House task force earlier this year in anticipation of the Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be predominantly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico will also play host to several matches. 

The international tournament, spanning North America, will begin in June 2026 and is the first World Cup in more than two decades that will take place in multiple countries. The tournament will be hosted in 16 cities, beginning with 48 teams and playing 104 matches in total. 

In the U.S., matches will be played in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and East Rutherford, New Jersey.