Football: 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The draw for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which takes place in the United States (US), Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, was a glitzy event held, on 5 December 2025, at the famous Kennedy Arts Center in Washington, DC, a mile from the White House.
The event was dominated by two Presidents: the US President, Donald Trump, and the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who have built up a cosy relationship, perhaps regarded by some as an endorsement of the MAGA (‘Make America Great Again’) political movement in the US. This relationship has attracted criticism from within and outside FIFA, particularly as the FIFA Statutes expressly provide for political neutrality in football.
Furthermore, the event featured a new FIFA Peace Prize, which, not surprisingly, was awarded to President Trump!
The actual draw was conducted by Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United FC and England defender, who was also a member of three FIFA World Cup squads.
The event was also attended by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
The event ended with a performance by the American Disco Group ‘Village People’ of YMCA, known to be a favourite song - if not anthem - of Donald Trump!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
