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Trump announces Kennedy Center as FIFA World Cup draw venue while praising DC crime crackdown

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Trump announces Kennedy Center as FIFA World Cup draw venue while praising DC crime crackdown


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President Donald Trump praised the administration’s crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., on Friday as he announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5. 

The president was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the Oval Office for Friday’s announcement. Trump, now the chairman of the Kennedy Center, confirmed that the draw for the group stage will take place at the performing arts venue.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, hands the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“On Dec. 5 of this year, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center. Some people refer to it as the Trump-Kennedy Center, but we’re not prepared to do that quite yet – maybe in a week or so,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the group. 

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“But right here in Washington, D.C., it’s a tremendous honor to bring the global event and this incredible group of people and these unbelievable athletes – the best athletes in the world – to the cultural center of our nation’s capital.” 

Trump also took the opportunity to highlight his administration’s federal takeover of D.C. in an effort to crack down on crime.

“By the way, in Washington, D.C., we have the lowest crime numbers they’ve had in years. Zero. It’s a horrible thing to say, but I might as well say it, zero murders in the last week since we’ve done this. That’s the first time in memory that that’s happened. If you can believe it. How pathetic that is to have to even say it.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a press conference after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department at the Wilson Building on August 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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“It was unsafe. It was horrible,” the president continued, “And Mayor [Muriel] Bowser better get her act straight or she won’t be mayor very long because we’ll take it over with the federal government, run it like it’s supposed to be run.”

Trump quipped to Infantino that the city “will be nice” just in time for the draw, joking that the Italian sports figure “could handle yourself” regardless. 

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest, most complex set of events in sports history, and the Kennedy Center will give it a phenomenal kickoff and will be involved, and they’ll be working over there for quite a bit of time. We have it all set so that they can stay there for the big events, the big press conferences and everything else. And they’ll be in a very safe capital. That will be nice. You don’t have to worry about walking down the street, Johnny, okay? But you could handle yourself.”

President Donald Trump makes FIFA announcement

President Donald Trump speaks alongside the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Trump established a White House task force earlier this year in anticipation of the Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be predominantly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico will also play host to several matches. 

The international tournament, spanning North America, will begin in June 2026 and is the first World Cup in more than two decades that will take place in multiple countries. The tournament will be hosted in 16 cities, beginning with 48 teams and playing 104 matches in total. 

In the U.S., matches will be played in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and East Rutherford, New Jersey. 

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Netflix documentary director on Hulk Hogan’s Trump support and the backlash that followed him to the end

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Netflix documentary director on Hulk Hogan’s Trump support and the backlash that followed him to the end


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In his final appearance for WWE, Hulk Hogan, undoubtedly the greatest wrestler in the history of the company, was booed.

By the time Jan. 6, 2025, his last appearance, had rolled around, Hogan became outwardly supportive of President Donald Trump, which turned off some of his followers.

“But he never expressed regret. He stood by who he was,” Brian Storkel, the director of Netflix’s upcoming documentary on the late wrestler, said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

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Businessman Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987. (Jeffrey Asher/Getty Images)

Hogan had done five days of interviews with Netflix, totaling 25 hours. However, he will not get to see the final product, as he died in July at the age of 71.

Long before becoming an outward Trump supporter, Hogan had been involved in some controversies in the past. But from the jump, Storkel wanted to “humanize him and really get to know Terry Bollea, the person.”

“With all the subjects in my documentaries, I don’t like viewing people in black-and-white terms. Even if someone has done wrong, I don’t see them as purely good or evil. People are more complex than that, and that nuance is where the story becomes interesting,” Storkel said. “You need a subject willing to go there, reflect, and be open — and Terry was.”

Hogan began to be more public with his support for Trump after an assassination attempt in July 2024.

“He said he’d supported him quietly for a long time but felt embarrassed to wear the hat. He mentioned that the assassination attempt was what pushed him to speak out. Soon after, he was speaking publicly and took some backlash for it,” Storkel said.

Hulk Hogan speaking at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum

Hulk Hogan, professional entertainer and wrestler, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The final day of the RNC featured a keynote address by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (IMAGN Syndication: USA TODAY)

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Ironically, the last time Storkel chatted with Hogan was right after an interview with Trump for the documentary.

“I was at the White House, just outside the West Wing, on a call with Hulk Hogan, which was the weirdest thing. It felt like one of those surreal moments you’d imagine as a kid — a made-up story you’d tell people. I had just spent time with Donald Trump, something Hulk Hogan had set up so I could interview him, and then I’m standing there talking to Hogan about it. He was so excited it had happened,” Storkel recalled.

“At that point, he was already in and out of the hospital after surgery, so that ended up being the last call I had with him.”

Storkel admitted that not much was different about the documentary following Hogan’s death from his original plans, outside of some late tributes and more time with his son, Nick. Storkel was doing interviews for the documentary at WWE headquarters in Connecticut the day Hogan died.

“There’s also a moment in the film where I say we’ll come back in a couple of months for another interview. He agrees and walks out of frame—and that ends up being the last time. It becomes a powerful moment because you realize that follow-up never happens,” Storkel said.

But no matter the case, Storkel felt a responsibility to tell the story of the greatest.

Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan standing together backstage at Sony Studios in Los Angeles

Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan during VH1 Big in ’05 – Backstage and Audience at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

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“With every project, I want to be fair and accurate. Of course I want the people involved to feel good about it, but I won’t change the truth to make that happen,” Storkel said. “With Hulk, getting to know him personally made it more important to honor him properly. Yes, he was flawed and polarizing, but he was also a caring person with a big personality.

“I didn’t want his legacy reduced to a single label or judged solely on politics or past mistakes. My goal was to show the full human being. Regardless of how people feel going in, I think they’ll come away with a deeper understanding of who he was. I really valued getting to know him, and I hope the audience gets that same experience through the documentary.”

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Quetta Gladiators opt to bowl after winning toss against Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 11 clash

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Quetta Gladiators opt to bowl after winning toss against Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 11 clash


Quetta Gladiators skipper Saud Shakeel (centre) and Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam (centre-right) at the toss for their PSL 11 match at National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on April 19, 2026. — Screengrab

Quetta Gladiators won the toss and elected to field first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris (wk), Babar Azam (c), Kusal Mendis, Aaron Hardie, Farhan Yousaf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit and Ali Raza.

Quetta Gladiators: Shamyl Hussain, Saud Shakeel (c), Rilee Rossouw, Hasan Nawaz, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Jahandad Khan, Saqib Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

Head-to-head

Historically, both sides have faced each other 27 times, with Zalmi leading with 14 wins, followed by the Gladiators with 12, while one match has ended in a no result.

Their last meeting came at the same venue in the ongoing edition earlier this week, which saw the leaders prevailing comfortably by eight wickets.

  • Matches: 27
  • Peshawar Zalmi: 14
  • Quetta Gladiators: 12
  • No Result: 1

Form Guide

Zalmi and Gladiators enter the fixture with contrasting momentum as the 2017 champions are on a five-match winning streak, besides holding the distinction of being the only unbeaten side in the ongoing PSL 11 standings.

The Zalmi, as a result, have already booked their spot in the playoffs as they sit at the summit of the standings with 13 points in seven matches.

Gladiators, on the other hand, have just two victories in their last five matches, but are fresh from a resounding six-wicket triumph over holders Lahore Qalandars.

Peshawar Zalmi: W, W, W, W, W (most recent first)

Quetta Gladiators: W, L, W, L, L





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NFL star George Kittle intercepts NBA player Tyrese Haliburton’s beer WrestleMania 42

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NFL star George Kittle intercepts NBA player Tyrese Haliburton’s beer WrestleMania 42


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One of the best WrestleMania 42 moments on Saturday night occurred outside of the ring.

NFL star George Kittle and NBA star Tyrese Haliburton were among the professional athletes in attendance for Night 1 of the event, which later featured Cody Rhodes retaining his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in the main event.

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George Kittle and Tyrese Haliburton attend WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE/Getty Images)

Kittle and Haliburton were showcased as two stars who were at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the event. Haliburton was about to drink his beer when Kittle intercepted it away and chugged it for him. The WWE crowd was frenzied after Kittle’s steal.

https://x.com/netflixsports/status/2045632212922728821

Both Kittle and Haliburton are major WWE fans and have been at multiple events, including getting involved in matches.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

George Kittle standing at Allegiant Stadium during WrestleMania 42 Night 1

George Kittle attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)

Kittle clotheslined The Miz at WrestleMania 39. He previously revealed he’s a big fan of Penta, who is defending his Intercontinental Championship in a six-man ladder match on Sunday.

Haliburton previously went face-to-face with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson on an episode of “Friday Night SmackDown.”

For now, it doesn’t appear as though either will enter a WWE ring anytime soon.

Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in January, ending his 2026 season with the San Francisco 49ers on a sour note.

George Kittle and Chuck Zito standing at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

George Kittle and Chuck Zito attend WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE/Getty Images)

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Haliburton is also recovering from a torn Achilies he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year. He also opened up about battling shingles as he tries to return to the floor for the Indiana Pacers.



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