President Donald Trump said Friday the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged on Dec. 5 at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President JD Vance, calling the selection of the cultural landmark “a tremendous honor.” Trump became chairman of the Kennedy Center earlier this year. The televised draw will sort the 48 qualified teams into 12 groups for the expanded men’s tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 2026 across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The event sets the stage for 104 matches, including the opener at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and early fixtures in Canada before the U.S. begins play. Trump said the month-long competition could generate more than $30 billion in economic activity and create about 185,000 U.S. jobs, describing it as “one of the largest and most complex events in sports history.” He added that his administration is funding renovations at the Kennedy Center and will work with the Department of Homeland Security to expedite visas for international visitors. The decision ends speculation that Las Vegas or other venues might host the ceremony; the last time the United States held a World Cup draw, for the 1994 tournament, it took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. FIFA officials said the Kennedy Center’s location in the nation’s capital will allow closer coordination with federal organizers and sponsors as preparations accelerate for 2026.