Trump touts the success of the 2026 World Cup draw and claims to have a massive audience

President Donald Trump hailed the success of the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., on Friday, where he was honored with the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize at the event meant to set the stage for the global sporting event to be held in the United States next year.

On the eve of a private concert by Andrea Bocelli at the White House, the president thanked the Italian tenor for his inaugural performance at the Kennedy Center. Trump also highlighted the success of the draw, stating that more than “one billion people” tuned in to watch participating nations learn their fate for the tournament that begins in June.

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC (Emilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)

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“He was very good today at the FIFA Award,” Trump began, talking about Bocelli. “It was a win for me, I can tell you that. But it was a tie. And they say over a billion people were watching, and there was no way you could top what you did tonight today, because that was one of the biggest openings to 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 at the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, District of Columbia, on 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.

US prepares for influx of international visitors ahead of World Cup with security at the forefront

The night followed a day filled with high-profile stars, sports legends and world leaders in DC 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 during their arrival at the Kennedy Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. The event took place in Washington, DC, on 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 recognized the president for his actions to “promote peace and unity around the world.”

“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said, adding that “the most important thing is I just want to thank everyone. The world is a safer place now.”

The News contributed to this report.

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