WASHINGTON (AP) — The World Cup draw began Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney selecting the balls of their own countries from bowls during a ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
There was little suspense to the start of the draw for the expanded 48-nation tournament, given that FIFA assigned the three co-hosts to their groups in February 2024.
On a wintry day with snow falling, soccer officials and celebrities filled the hall, 189 days to go before the expanded 48-nation, 104-game tournament.
There were long lines outside the complex even at 7 a.m. as workers and media filed through with Secret Service agents securing the area.
Earlier in the ceremony, FIFA awarded its first peace prize to Trump, who has campaigned to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave Trump a large gold-colored trophy and a gold-colored medal hanging from a blue ribbon, which Trump hung around his neck. Standing next to Trump, Infantino lavished praise.
“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said.
A red carpet was laid outside the arts center, taken over this year by Trump and his supporters. Retired stars Tom Brady of the NFL, Shaquille O’Neal of the NBA and Wayne Gretzky of the NHL along with three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge were to assist in a ceremony run by former England captain Rio Ferdinand.
All 11 of the highest-ranked teams were in the draw, with No. 12 Italy among 22 nations competing in playoffs for the final six berths to be decided March 31.
The tournament opens June 11 in Mexico City. The U.S., which reached the semifinals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and has gotten as far as the quarterfinals only one other time in 2002, starts the next day in Inglewood, California. Canada kicks off in Toronto.
All games from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., which is using 11 NFL stadiums. Sites for most games and kickoff times are to be announced Saturday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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