Donald Trump declared yesterday (22 August) he had a major announcement to make from the White House, leaving plenty to wonder what he might have to say.
As it turned out, the announcement was actually about the US hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, something we already knew was going on, but now we know where the draw is going to take place.
Trump appeared on camera with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to declare that the World Cup draw would be held at the Kennedy Center, in Washington DC, rather than in Las Vegas as was previously expected.
The iconic World Cup trophy was displayed during the announcement, and Infantino made a big show of handing it to Trump while stating that it was only for 'winners,' which includes the FIFA president, presidents of countries, and World Cup victors.
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Buttering up Trump further, Infantino told the US President, 'since you are a winner of course you can touch it', as he handed the golden icon over to the 79-year-old.
You might have guessed by now that Trump is something of a gold aficionado and was very taken with the trophy, asking, 'can I keep it?' and joking that 'we're not giving it back' as Infantino tried to explain that it was needed for the winners.
He added that the trophy 'goes well with the wall' and said it was a 'beautiful piece of gold', keeping it in his clutches while Infantino prattled on about how the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be the 'biggest event ever'.
Plonking the trophy on his desk, Trump then started talking about crime and hit out at his predecessor Joe Biden as Infantino reached over and slid the World Cup trophy out of the way while the US president's attention was occupied elsewhere.
You've got to be careful about him stealing the thing, since in the background in the Oval Office was the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy, which Trump acquired for himself when he bizarrely grabbed himself a winner's medal and gate-crashed Chelsea's celebrations.
Fortunately for the Club World Cup, there are actually three versions of the trophy, so while Trump has one in his possession, there are others to be handed out.
As for the World Cup draw itself, that'll take place on 5 December, as per the statement from the White House.
Meanwhile, Trump suggested that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could attend the sporting tournament next year, saying that he 'will be coming, depending on what happens'.
It's not clear whether Trump is aware that Russia is currently banned from the World Cup by FIFA and hasn't qualified for this tournament.
He was also presented with the first 'official' match ticket for the final game of the tournament.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Football, Sport, World Cup
Joe Harker