FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Held as Gianni Infantino Presents Donald Trump with Presidential Award
Doha, Qatar – December 5, 2025 – The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place today in Doha, Qatar, outlining the path to glory for participating nations. Simultaneously, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented former U.S. President Donald Trump with the FIFA Presidential Award, recognizing what FIFA described as his contributions to the promotion of peace through sport. The award ceremony occurred amidst the World Cup draw proceedings,drawing both praise and criticism.
The draw itself determined the groups for the expanded 48-team tournament,co-hosted by the United States,Canada,and Mexico. The United States was placed in Group A alongside Uruguay, Brazil, and a representative from the inter-confederation play-off. Canada landed in Group B with france, croatia, and another play-off winner, while Mexico will compete in Group C against Argentina, Poland, and a team from the Asian Football Confederation play-off. The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities.
Infantino’s decision to honor Trump, however, overshadowed the sporting event for many. FIFA stated the award acknowledged Trump’s role in the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several arab nations, brokered during his presidency. “This is a unique moment in time,” Infantino said during the presentation, “and it’s a moment where football unites, and Mr. President, you have shown that you are a unifier.” The award has sparked controversy given Trump’s often divisive rhetoric and policies, with critics questioning the appropriateness of FIFA bestowing such an honor.
The FIFA Presidential Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to football and society. Previous recipients include figures like Nelson Mandela and Pelé. The 2026 World Cup marks the first time the tournament will be held across three countries and the first time it will feature 48 teams, a change intended to broaden global participation in the sport. The draw’s completion and the subsequent award ceremony set the stage for what promises to be a landmark event in football history.
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