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US President Donald Trump will take part in the 2026 World Cup draw. His role is clearly visible amidst the spectacle, politics and ties to FIFA.
Washington – US President Donald Trump (79) will attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday. The event at the Kennedy Center promises more than just sporting excitement, as Trump could receive the FIFA Peace Prize for the first time at the ceremony. The award, set for November 2025, will be awarded by lottery for the first time.
Trump's participation raises questions about his motives. Critics suspect he wants to exert influence over Republican-led American cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. He has threatened in the past to move World Cup matches from Democratic-run cities to other host cities.
Trump as a new FIFA trustee
A key factor is his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The two are jointly promoting the "FIFA Passport," which gives preferential treatment to fans applying for U.S. visas. Infantino maintains close ties to the White House and recently used the Gaza Peace Summit for media spectacle and networking.
As an experienced networker between football and politics, Infantino already collaborates with international politicians such as Putin, Erdogan and Mohammed bin Salman, but his particularly close relationship with Trump intensifies speculation about the US president's influence on the World Cup and its host cities.
Whether Trump will attend the draw as a mere guest or actively use the event for media attention remains to be seen. It would not be surprising if he were to personally accept the new FIFA Peace Prize on Friday. The coming weeks will reveal the extent to which politics and sports are intertwined.
The 2026 World Cup will thus become a test for football's neutrality. Personalities like Trump can influence global sports, while FIFA and the host countries are in the spotlight. The tournament shows how closely sporting events and political interests can be intertwined in the future./"Frankfurter Rundschau ", adapted in Albanian, "Pamphlet"
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