Donald Trump dances as The Village People perform “YMCA” during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup.
MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images
When the press pool exited the venue to travel back to the White House after Trump’s appearance onstage with Carney and Sheinbaum, the pool was recalled to the Kennedy Center after Trump reportedly decided he wanted to stick around and watch the rest. Sat next to Sheinbaum, Trump enjoyed a performance from Lauryn Hill and a pre-recorded skit featuring Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, Matthew McConaughey, and Salma Hayek.
The event had an undignified start for the journalists sent from around the world to cover it. They waited in a security line stretched outside the Kennedy Center, as the temperature hovered below freezing and snow tumbled down. “I’ve been covering soccer in the U.S. for seven years,” said one frozen reporter, “and this is the worst run event I’ve ever been to.” Some waited for more than two hours as an understaffed unit of Secret Service agents checked every pocket of every backpack, opening laptops and pressing buttons, presumably to ensure their non-explosive quality, and confiscating water bottles (this precaution I could not understand.). Inside, journalists thawed around tables set up with food representing the World Cup host countries: Canada (poutine), Mexico (tacos), and the United States (burgers).
The festivities wrapped up with a performance from The Village People, who seemed to miss their cue for the start of “YMCA,” but eventually got into the rhythm of things. Trump stood in his box and performed his signature dance, while Carney, Sheinbaum, and First Lady Melania Trump remained seated, laughing at the spectacle. Only Infantino stood with Trump.
