The scene inside the Oval Office on Friday closely resembled a recent episode of “South Park” as President Donald Trump touched the FIFA World Cup trophy while being lavished with praise by the association’s president.

World Cup qualifying for European teams begins in September. But FIFA said 42 of the 48 teams that will compete in the 2026 World Cup will have qualified by Dec. 5. The final six spots will be determined by playoff matches in March.

A new KC2026 FIFA World Cup countdown clock is coming to downtown Lee's Summit ahead of next summer's matches in Kansas City.

President Donald Trump had his latest bling request for the Oval Office denied. Trump, 79, could not resist asking to keep the FIFA World Cup trophy after it was displayed in his office on Friday, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino politely informed him that it was not his to take.

President Donald Trump had his latest bling request for the Oval Office denied. Trump, 79, could not resist asking to keep the FIFA World Cup trophy after it was displayed in his office on Friday, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino politely informed him that it was not his to take.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than a year away. What can be predicted about the biggest World Cup in history?

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, spoke with SBJ last week about the federal government’s role in preparing for the 39-day mega-event.