The Kennedy Center’s ticket sales have fallen by more than 40% since President Donald Trump‘s takeover of the performing arts venue.
The 2026 World Cup Draw that he lured to the concert hall on the banks of the Potomac River, however, was a guaranteed full house.
And no matter how listlessly the show lumbered on and pursuits of humor fizzled, no one was going to tune out before what really mattered.
After they finally revealed next summer’s matchups, the coaches in black ties walked into the press area — the “mixed zone” — to field questions.
“The draw itself was a great show,” said one who disagreed with my assessment: Julian Nagelsmann, coach of four-time World Cup champion Germany, which drew Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.
He also said, “It’s a tough group,” which drew laughter on German television coverage.
For sure, one never expects coaches to publicly disparage other teams or give their players a reason for complacency. That task of diplomacy was spread to many coaches who must have privately been elated with their draw at this expanded World Cup, which has made obsolete the “group of death” designations.
Carlo Ancelotti, coach of five-time champion Brazil, justifiably praised Morocco, and said, “we are in a tough group,” which also includes Haiti and Scotland. “We have to prepare well and try to win the group.”
Defending champion Argentina is grouped with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. “There’s no easy opponent,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.
Only eight different teams have lifted the trophy in 23 World Cups. The last first-time winners were Spain in 2010 and France in 1998. The host has won five times.
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