Trump takes center stage as Washington hosts the 2026 World Cup draw

December 4, 2025 Oliver Obel

According to U.S. officials familiar with the planning, President Donald Trump has personally asked one prominent English figure to attend, even as six other individuals have been blocked from entering the country under existing travel restrictions.

The White House has not commented publicly on the decisions, which have drawn attention in international football circles.

Expanded tournament takes shape

The draw will be staged at the Kennedy Center at 5 p.m. UK time on December 5. Delegations from around the world are expected, marking one of the first major ceremonies for the enlarged World Cup.

FIFA’s overhaul confirmed last year expands the field from 32 to 48 nations, introduces 12 groups of four and adds an extra knockout round, creating a total of 104 matches. Supporters say the shift will widen global participation; critics argue it risks stretching players beyond safe workload limits.

Entertainment takes center stage

Although diplomatic decisions have dominated early headlines, preparations inside the venue have taken on a far lighter tone.

Coverage from AP and other U.S. outlets indicates Trump has leaned heavily into the entertainment aspect of the draw, approving a lineup that includes Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and the Village People a group he has repeatedly praised at past events.

Robbie Williams steps into global role

Williams’ appearance follows his appointment as FIFA’s Music Ambassador in June, a role announced shortly after the U.S. release of his biopic Better Man.

Reflecting on the position, he said: “Music and football bring people together like nothing else – each with their own universal language of connection, spirit and community.”

He described the appointment as “beyond honoured” and personally meaningful.

Crafting the anthem

The singer has also spoken about the creative challenge of producing the tournament’s official anthem.

“I’ve grown up watching the walk-outs, the anthems, the drama so writing and recording the official FIFA anthem is a real privilege,” he said.

Williams added that he aimed to capture “the passion, the nerves, the pride and the majesty” associated with the moments before kick-off an experience he said “gives me goosebumps.”

With global football leaders, U.S. political figures and internationally known performers converging in a single room, Friday’s event is expected to offer both the procedural clarity of a tournament draw and the showmanship often seen in large-scale American political staging.

Sources: Reuters, AP, BBC