The FIFA World Cup trophy has touched down in Washington DC, generating major excitement as preparations intensify for Friday’s Final Draw for the 2026 tournament.
The trophy made stops at several iconic landmarks before arriving at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — the venue that will host the draw. Media were given an exclusive tour of the setup, led by FIFA Legend Rio Ferdinand, who will co-host the ceremony with award-winning broadcaster Samantha Johnson.
The star power doesn’t stop there. Sporting icons Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal will assist with the draw, while NFL legend Eli Manning will anchor the red-carpet arrivals.
The high-profile build-up signals the scale of what will be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, shared across the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
