You would be forgiven for wondering what exactly was being celebrated at Friday's 2026 World Cup draw in Washington. The splashy event, hosted by FIFA at the Kennedy Center and watched by millions around the world, was nominally held to determine groups for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In practice, it was a carefully curated celebration of President Donald Trump .

The festivities kicked off with a performance from Andrea Bocelli , Trump’s favorite tenor, who wore a blue velvet tuxedo and aviator sunglasses as he belted out “Nessun dorma”. Trump sat in an opera box emblazoned for the occasion with the presidential seal, looking on intently. The closing act was none other than The Village People , whose gay anthem “YMCA” has been a staple of Trump

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