Milei plans new US trip to meet Trump and attend 2026 World Cup draw

President Javier Milei is planning another trip to the United States to participate in the draw for the 2026 World Cup alongside his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

The draw for the World Cup, international football’s premier tournament, will take place on December 5 at 2pm at the Kennedy Center’s concert hall in Washington DC. 

The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, is hosting the tournament. 

Trump, who reports say personally chose the Kennedy Center for the draw, wants to demonstrate his ability to “restore American global leadership” in the sporting sphere as well.

The draw will bring together heads of state, officials, FIFA footballing figures and part of the global sporting and media establishment — a stage Milei is keen to capitalise on. 

The international attention surrounding the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, guarantees a level of exposure that could not be matched by a traditional diplomatic meeting.

Government sources said Milei will likely watch the draw from the presidential box, alongside Trump. 

This will be the 15th trip to the United States for Milei since he took office in December 2023. The Casa Rosada is hoping that the final details of its trade agreement with the US will be sealed by then and that a signing ceremony could take place.

The 2026 World Cup, with 48 teams and 16 venues spread across the three host countries, will hold its opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and the final at New York’s MetLife Stadium.

– TIMES/NA/PERFIL