WASHINGTON: The White House on Monday confirmed US President Donald Trump would attend the draw for the FIFA World Cup finals in Washington later this week.
The United States will co-host the 2026 tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
“On Friday, President Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup final draw at the Kennedy Center,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
Trump has made the World Cup a centrepiece event of both his second presidency and the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.
But the giant sporting extravaganza has not escaped the political turmoil caused by Trump’s hardline stance on a host of issues.
Trump has raised the possibility of moving games from some US host cities amid a crackdown on what he says is crime and illegal migration in some Democratic-run areas.