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President Donald Trump on Friday hailed the success of the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, where he received the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize at the event intended to set the stage for the global sporting event to be held in the United States next year.
Speaking before a private concert by Andrea Bocelli at the White House, the president thanked the Italian tenor for his opening performance at the Kennedy Center. Trump also highlighted the success of the draw and claimed that more than “a billion people” watched the participating nations learn their fate for the tournament which begins in June.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Émilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)
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“He was so good today at the FIFA Awards,” Trump began of Bocelli. “It was rewarding for me, I can tell you that. But it was a draw. And they say over a billion people were watching and there was no way to beat what you did today because it was one of the biggest openings for an event I’ve ever seen. And he was in rare form.”
“What you did this morning was amazing, so thank you very much.”
Singer Andrea Bocelli performs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, District of Columbia, December 5, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)
The private concert at the White House was attended by Republican lawmakers and members of Trump’s Cabinet.
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The evening followed a day filled with high-profile stars, sporting legends and world leaders in Washington for the World Cup draw.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined Trump on stage to draw the names of their respective nations as the three countries prepare to host the international tournament next year.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak to the media as they arrive at the Kennedy Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. The event took place in Washington, District of Columbia, December 5, 2025. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino also presented Trump with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, which recognizes the president for his actions to “promote peace and unity throughout the world.”
“This is truly one of the greatest honors of my life,” Trump said, adding that “most importantly, I just want to thank everyone. The world is safer now.”
