Entertainment
Washington to host 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, Trump announces
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has revealed that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington this December.
Standing alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino at the White House, Trump described the tournament as “probably the biggest event in sports” and even joked about wanting to keep the golden trophy for himself.
The announcement confirmed that the Kennedy Center in the US capital will host the ceremony on December 5.
The draw for the 48-team football championship will be held at the Kennedy Center in the US capital, where Trump recently installed himself as chairman in what he called a war on “woke” culture.
“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump, flanked by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, said as he made the announcement in the Oval Office of the White House.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, and Trump has made a big deal about it happening during his presidency.
Infantino, who has fostered close ties with the billionaire US president, brought the World Cup with him for the announcement and even let Trump get his hands on it.
“Only the FIFA president, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it, because it’s for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it,” Infantino said.
“Can I keep it?” replied Trump, who won a second term in the White House last year, as he lifted the trophy with both hands.
“That’s a beautiful piece of gold.”
Trump appeared to be joking — although the separate FIFA Club World Cup trophy remains in the Oval Office more than a month after English side Chelsea won it in New Jersey last month.
Putin ‘may be coming and he may not’
There was a brief moment of nerves as Trump appeared to fumble the World Cup before placing it on his desk — as Infantino reached out a hand to steady it.
Infantino later presented the US leader with a giant ticket — Row 1 Seat 1 — for the World Cup final on July 19 at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York.
Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the World Cup.
Holding up a photo that he said Putin had sent him after their summit in Alaska last week, Trump said the Kremlin chief “wants to be there very badly,” but that he “may be coming and he may not” depending on the outcome of Ukraine peace efforts.
The United States was named as a joint host of the 2026 World Cup during Trump’s first term as president in 2018. He lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden but won a second term last year.
Since his return to power, Trump has launched a major crackdown on immigration, but he said it would be “very easy” for most World Cup fans to get a visa.
For visitors from some countries, it would be “obviously a little bit more difficult,” said Trump, who has banned all travellers from 12 nations including Afghanistan, Haiti and Iran.
‘Trump-Kennedy Center’
The World Cup draw was reportedly due to be held in Las Vegas but the new venue has more political overtones.
Trump led a takeover of the Kennedy Center earlier this year, saying that the venerable performing arts venue named after late Democratic president John F. Kennedy had become too “woke.”
He added on Friday as he made the announcement that “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 visited the Kennedy Center just before the Oval Office announcement on Friday. He has said he is going to make major improvements to “beautify” it, including adding marble cladding.
The US president also hailed a major federal crime crackdown in Washington that has seen US National Guard troops deployed on the streets of the capital.
Trump said the move would make Washington safe for football fans visiting the city during next year’s tournament.
Kourtney Kardashian recently celebrated a personal milestone in a fun and relaxed way.
The 46-year-old reality star shared on her Instagram Stories that she has been sober for three years now.
Kourtney revealed the news while joining her sister Khloe Kardashian to launch the latest flavour of Khloud popcorn.
“@Khloudfoods @KhloeKardashian def told them I haven’t drank alcohol in 3 years. Fancy Friday,” she wrote.
In the video, the mother of four enjoyed a mocktail which was apparently made with non-alcoholic gin and was styled with popcorn pieces.
However, she reached for a sample of the new snack while praising it with an enthusiastic “Love it!”
The Kardashians star’s choice to quit alcohol comes as she focuses on her health, her kids and being more present in life.
Her husband Travis Barker has been sober for over 17 years now after a serious plane crash in 2008.
She has also been making other changes in her lifestyle as well as she has gone four years without Botox, saying that it helps her keep her “third eye open.”
Moreover, Kourtney’s latest lifestyle choices reflect her commitment to her wellness.
Paul Hardcastle is heartbroken after the death of his son Paul Jr in a motorcycle accident.
The 68-year-old musician, who is best known for his 1985 hit 19, revealed that he talked to his 35-year-old son just minutes before the crash.
Paul shared in an emotional Instagram video, “He went like, ‘I’ll get back to you in five minutes.’ He didn’t get back to me in five minutes.”
The Soft Rain singnger described the moment as “police came to his home to deliver the tragic news,” saying that the officers were kind but hearing that his son has died was very overwhelming.
He also warned others about risky decisions, saying that some choices can change your life in instantly.
Paul Jr followed his father’s footsteps, playing the saxophone and DJing.
Paul first shared the news on Instagram with a childhood photo of his son, writing, “Just to let you know that my super talented son Paul Hardcastle Jnr was in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier and has sadly died. RIP son love Dad.”
Paul Hardcastle, however, called his son “lovely” and said losing him was heartbreaking.
Priscilla Presley has shared her memories of life with Elvis Presley, talking about the happy moments and the struggles they faced together.
The King of Rock and Roll died in 1977 at the age of 42 but Priscilla still believes tht he would still be performing if he were alive today.
She told HELLO! Magazine, “I think he’d be doing the same thing in life – singing and touring. He loved it.”
The star’s new memoir talks about the life they shared, a process that she said was not easy at all.
It took her over 11 months to finish, and she recalled both the wonderful and difficult times.
“You remember a lot of things, and it was a good thing, to be honest. A lot of remembering wonderful times and difficult times and you’re reliving your life,” she explained.
Priscilla and Elvis were married from 1967 to 1973 but stayed close after their divorce.
However, the Dallas actress made sure that their daughter Lisa Marie Presley spent a lot of time with him at Graceland and she was used to take her to see his shows.
Even after everything, she said they cared for each other, “We still cared for each other, he was fun to be with.”
For the unversed, the memoir, Softly, As I Leave You Life After Elvis, gave fans a personal and emotional look at their lives.
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