FIFA's decision to host the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5 has sparked a U.S. Senate investigation into alleged cronyism and financial mismanagement. The agreement, which lists a $0 rental fee but includes $7.4 million in donations and sponsorships from FIFA, has drawn criticism from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse amid political ties to President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, FIFA announced a new seeding format to separate top teams until later stages.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5, 2025, at 1700 GMT in the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall, has become mired in controversy over its hosting agreement. A leaked contract reveals FIFA will have exclusive use of key facilities from November 24 through December 12 for a stated rental fee of $0.00, prompting scrutiny from U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who leads the Democratic minority on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Whitehouse's letter to Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, dated last week, accuses the venue of mismanagement, including foregone revenue and cancelled programming estimated at over $5 million. 'The Center is being looted to the tune of millions of dollars in foregone revenue, cancelled programming, unpaid use of its facilities, and wasteful spending,' Whitehouse wrote. He demands explanations, documents, and board discussions by December 4, questioning how the deal aligns with the Center's mission as a federally funded nonprofit for performing arts.
Grenell, appointed by Trump in February 2025 after the administration ousted prior leadership, disputed the claims in a response letter and X posts. 'FIFA has paid millions plus covered all expenses,' he stated. A Kennedy Center spokeswoman, Roma Daravi, told the Associated Press on November 22 that FIFA is donating $2.4 million and providing sponsorship opportunities worth an additional $5 million, totaling $7.4 million. However, officials have not clarified why payments are structured as donations rather than rental fees, and FIFA declined comment on the arrangement.
The deal originated from FIFA's negotiations with venues like those in Las Vegas, but shifted to the Kennedy Center at Trump's suggestion. Trump announced it in August, saying, 'We will lay out the red carpet.' This fits a pattern of close ties between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump, including Infantino's attendance at Trump's inauguration and praise at recent events. Speculation surrounds FIFA's new 'Peace Prize' to be awarded at the draw, with hints it may go to Trump.
Amid the backdrop, FIFA detailed the draw format on Tuesday to ensure competitive balance in the expanded 48-team tournament. The top four seeds—Spain (1), Argentina (2), France (3), and England (4)—will be placed in opposite halves of the bracket, potentially avoiding matchups until the final if they advance. Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States join them in Pot 1, alongside Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Subsequent pots include:
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, South Africa
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, plus playoff winners
Six spots remain via March play-offs, with Italy potentially in Pot 4 if qualified. Match schedules and venues will follow on December 6. The controversy highlights tensions at the Kennedy Center, which has shifted toward non-arts events under Trump loyalists, including conservative summits, amid reports of plummeting ticket sales.
