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Isa Soares Tonight
Donald Trump A Central Figure At FIFA World Cup Draw; Fans Anxiously Await Final Draw For Tournament; Fans Hold Their Breath Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Draw; FIFAS Peace Prize Awarded To U.S. President Donald Trump; FIFA World Cup To Be Held In Canada For The First Time; Leaders Of Host Nations Appear At World Cup Draw Ceremony. Aired 12-1p ET
Aired December 05, 2025 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:00:11]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.
ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Isa Soares in London. Welcome to our very special coverage of the 2026 World Cup Draw.
Affairs of state and affairs of sport are about to come together in Washington, D.C. These are live images that you're coming to you now from
Kennedy Center. You can see there President Trump, alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada.
Because we are minutes away for the draw for one of the sport's grandest spectacle -- spectacles, of all the men's football World Cup. There are
more teams this year. More matches and more groups spread across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico next year.
And for the first time, the 2026 tournament will welcome 48 national teams. A big jump from the previous 32.
Today, we will learn the fate of 42 countries as the majority of sides find out who exactly is in their group. Six more places are still to be
determined in playoffs.
Argentina returning as a defending champion and perennial contenders of course, France, Spain, England are also ones to watch. And Brazil, of
course, as you saw there.
The leaders of all three host nations are at the Kennedy Center in Washington from this -- for this extravaganza. We've showed you images now
of Prime Minister Mark Carney. President Trump is hosting the draw and he's expected to be honored with a new award. It's called FIFA's Peace Prize. Of
course, also, there will be Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico.
And as you only expect right here on CNN, we've got correspondents covering the story from all over the globe, from Washington D.C. to Buenos Aires to
Madrid.
But we are going to start this hour with CNN's Don Riddell who was at the Kennedy Center. And Alayna Treene standing by up the White House.
Don, first to you, picture perfect postcard behind you. I'm sure you can't probably feel toes at this moment. But let's talk football because all that
will be warmed up very quickly.
Look, this is without a doubt one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events. Just talk us through what we were about to see as events kick off.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. Hi, Isa. Yes, this is when the starting gun for the football World Cup is fired. The tournament not until June and
July of next year. But today is the day when all of the teams who are going to be involved will know who they'll be playing in the group stage.
All bar six, I should say because six of the 48 teams have yet to qualify via the playoffs in March. But the majority of the teams are going to get a
roadmap today. And that is when they can start planning. And that is when the excitement and the anticipation is really, really going to start
building.
Today is the day it feels real. The event should be underway around about now in the Kennedy Center behind me. Of course, the main point of this
event is the draw itself. The 48 teams are going to be split into a dozen groups of four each from those groups. Two or maybe even three will advance
to the knockout stage.
Any team that's going to win this tournament is going to have to play eight games, three in the group stage and then five in the knockout.
This though is an event that has become about so much more than just football. It is a global sports event. There are legends from other sports
like Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal and Aaron Judge from the Yankees, like, those guys are going to be involved in the draw.
Of course, there are media from all over the world covering it. There are dignitaries from all of the teams and countries involved present as well.
And then this is an event where sports and politics absolutely collide. The geopolitical situation involving the host nations is fascinating, the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico.
[12:05:59]
And this is also an event where we're going to see something brand-new. The FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently announced that FIFA had created a
brand-new Peace Prize. And so that is going to be something we're going to be witnessing in the next few minutes.
The awarding of this new Peace Prize and it is widely anticipated that the U.S. president Donald Trump will be receiving that prize. He and Infantino
have been very close friends this year. Some would even describe it as a bromance.
Infantino has been to the White House half a dozen times. He even accompanied Donald Trump to Cairo for the signing of the ceasefire deal
between Israel and Hamas. So that is supposed to be something that's part of the event, but kind of on the sidelines, but it may well end up
upstaging everything else.
But hopefully, the big story here will be the draw and who gets who for the tournament next summer.
SOARES: Yes. And I think I've seen Infantino more times at the White House than any other leader, which says a lot.
On that note, let me go to Alayna Treene. Alayna Treene, you know, the Kennedy Center is not that far, of course, from the White House. And we're
just looking at some of the images. We're seeing Infantino. We're seeing President Trump, Prime Minister Carney.
There is a gap there as we look at some of these images. I can't see Claudia Sheinbaum, but this is a note about sport, but this has a
distinctly political feel to it, doesn't it?
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Oh, absolutely. This event is crackling, Isa, with geopolitical tension, particularly because of the
timing of it. Of course, the relationship between the United States and the other co-hosts for this tournament, the other host countries for the FIFA
World Cup next summer.
The relationships have been very much strained, particularly compared to -- to previous years with the United States and really the Trump
administration leaning in hard on these tariff policies, targeting its neighbors, Mexico and Canada, even more fiercely, particularly early on,
than some other countries around the globe.
But then also, this time right now is also a very notable for their relationship and their trade relationship, more specifically, because next
year, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, the USMCA, one that I should note, President Donald Trump, it was during his first term that that
agreement was actually negotiated and put into place. It is coming up for a formal review.
And just recently, Trump had said that he's thinking about potentially abandoning it because he might not think it's good enough. And that would
have incredible implications, not only, of course, for Mexico and Canada, but for the United States as well, because -- because of the president's
tariff policies, a lot of that -- a lot of the tariffs have actually been able to be a little bit more reasonable because of that trade agreement
between these three countries. And so that's one thing I think to watch out for.
And I am, unlike you, Isa, I'm watching these images, trying to get a read on the body language. We saw the president joking a bit with the Prime
Minister of Canada, Carney, earlier, did seem a little bit awkward, though. I would note this is the first time those two leaders are meeting ever
since the president kind of -- President Trump, I should say, blew up over that Ontario ad that was criticizing U.S. tariffs.
So it'll be interesting. It's also going to be one of the moments we are expected to see Trump and -- and Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico meet.
That would be their first time meeting. And so a very notable moment as well, if we get to see any of that on the sidelines of this event.
And just one other thing, Isa, I think, is really worth noting through all of this, is how much this World Cup, this drawing event, I should note, but
also the World Cup overall means to President Trump. He looks at this as a legacy building moment for him. He's been putting a lot into making sure
that he has a very heavy hand in how the planning for this event looks.
And that's why I think you've also seen him kind of attached at the hip that many times to -- to Infantino. Some saying they have a bromance. I
mean, you're seeing that kind of play out today. So a lot to be on the lookout for, particularly from a political point of view when it comes to
this -- this World Cup event, but the drawing as well.
SOARES: Indeed. And as you were talking there, Alayna, you could see the first lady just sat down next to President Trump. I can see to the left, to
the right of the president, Mark Carney. But I can't see Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. There is a gap there. There's a seat there that hasn't been
taken.
So maybe she is to the right of Mark Carney, but we're keeping a close eye on these images coming into us from the Kennedy Center.
Alayna Treene, Don Riddell, thank you very much. We'll catch up with you both a bit later.
And as both Alayna was saying there and Don Riddell, football fans, are waiting -- are waiting of course, bated breath for the FIFA World Cup final
draw, an event which, of course, will shape the entire field of play for the international tournament next year.
And many are hoping their favorite team will escape a so-called group of death, a group of death. You know, so many of us have seen those where
football Goliath's collide early ahead of those knockout stages.
For more on how fans are experiencing the bonds of this draw, I want to bring in Valeria Leon from Mexico City, Pau Mosquera from Madrid, and Ivan
Sarmenti from Buenos Aires.
[12:10:05]
Valeria, first to you. We were just -- we -- I've been trying to see if I can watch -- if I can see Sheinbaum and haven't been able to see her yet.
Just give us a sense, first of all, of the magnitude of this being one of the co-hosts as well.
VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Isa. In the middle of this World Cup hype, this is creating also a new political moment. And this is would be --
this would be the first time the first ever face-to-face meeting between Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and President Donald Trump yesterday
during her morning press conference. President Sheinbaum said that it will be a quick meeting, but that she does plan to bring up new tariffs,
especially on cars, Mexico's top exports to the U.S., while President Trump is threatening to walk away from the North American trade deal, raising
real questions about what happens next.
But in the middle of all of this, we've seen some people that are thinking that this moment, the World Cup, would be this -- to -- to open the door to
new political conversations, despite backdrop of new tariffs, cartel- related violence and also drug trafficking.
So we don't know maybe this woke up would end up being more than just a tournament for both countries, the U.S. and Mexico, and they might reset
their relationship. Isa.
Valeria, do stay with us. Let me go to Pau Mosquera in Madrid. And Pau, I mean, Spain, I think it's fair to say, is one of the favorites to win the -
- the World Cup. Do we have Pau with us? Yes, we do.
What among the favorites to win. I know that my eldest kid, Pau, is very excited about Yamal, of course, the wonder kid. How -- how excited are
Spaniards about this?
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Isa, Spain is --
SOARES: Do we have -- we seem to -- you see -- Pau, we seem -- your shot seems to be frozen. So we're going to try and -- let me see -- right. We'll
-- let me try -- let's try this again. Go ahead.
MOSQUERA: Hello, Isa. Well, I think that the expectation is making our signal to go freeze because everybody is now paying attention on what may
happen during this final draw of the World Soccer Cup.
You were saying that Spain National Team is one of the favorites. Indeed, it is, but not only that, it's also the first in FIFA's world ranks. So
there's a lot of expectation on what may happen now, in what group may end Spain, and what other countries can, what other openings they may have, and
what can happen next year.
Right now, Isa, I can tell you that we are in a sports bar located downtown, one of the many that are streaming this final draw. And the
people are starting to come in to watch this streaming to see what is going to happen.
As we said, a lot of expectation, Isa, and we're going to be paying attention to every little movement. Isa.
SOARES: Pau, do stay with us. Let me go to Ivan Sarmenti, who is in Buenos Aires.
Ivan, Argentina, let's be honest here, won the fair share of trophies. The question that many people want to know to which probably you do not have
the answer to, is Messi going to play in this one?
IVAN SARMENTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Isa. And, of course, here in Argentina, the most recent World Cap champion, there is a lot of
anticipation around today's draw, and to find out who their next rival will be.
We are at the Diego Maradona themed bar. No need to explain who he was, of course, but you know, Argentine's lead between his legacy and the present
Lionel Messi, as you said, who will turn 39 during the tournament.
But back to the draw, Argentina, which comfortably topped its Carnival Qualifying Group in South America, is expecting to know the rivals. And
once the draw has been completed in a few hours, fans here can start mapping out possible routes to the final. And the 16 whole series, the team
might visit along the way.
There was also another key piece of news announced before the draw. Under the new format, if Argentina and Spain both win their groups as the top
ranked teams, they would meet only in the final, but if even of them slips and doesn't finish first in the group, that protection disappears.
And in that case, Argentina and Spain could face each other earlier with the semi-final as the earliest possible clash.
But what are the chances for Argentina? Well, not only are Argentina the reigning champions from Qatar in 2022, but they also won back-to-back Copa
America titles in 2021 and 2024.
With the same coach, Lionel Scaloni and the same goat, Lionel Messi, Argentina goes for its fourth cup. And all the population here will be
supporting the team because, you know, here football is more than sport, it is a passion, almost a religion.
[12:15:02]
And the proof was that more than five million people took to the street to celebrate the 2022 cup. So, imagine what could happen here, Isa.
SOARES: Yes. I know football in Argentina is a religion. I was there when they lost to Germany. And I can tell you there were many, many tears.
Thank you very much, Ivan Sarmenti, Valeria Leon, and Pau Mosquera. We'll touch base with you guys in probably half an hour or so. Thank you very
much.
Let's get more on all of this. Amanda Davies is with me now and be throughout our special coverage. She has covered many of the men's World
Cups and hosts of the Women's World Cup draw.
Amanda, great to have you alongside me. So talk me through what we're likely to see here.
So Don on the top was talking about just how much bigger this is, right, compared to previous years. Just talk us through how then this draw will
happen, because you've actually fronted some of these draws.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. I mean, this is the real landmark moment for this tournament. For people who didn't know there was a World
Cup happening, I don't think they're going to be.
SOARES: They do know.
DAVIES: There's not going to be any surprises after today. This is the landmark moment that puts this tournament on the map, and really starts
paving that road through to not only the kickoff of this tournament in June next year, but ultimately the way to the final on July the 19th in New
York.
And, yes, for so many reasons, this is the biggest World Cup to date. Yes, from the footballing perspective, with 48 teams that increased from 32,
which the mission from the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, who we see is actually addressing the -- the room at the Kennedy Center at the moment,
was to open this tournament up to more countries in the world.
It's incredible to believe, 22 additions of this tournament. Only eight different countries have actually got their hands on the trophy. So we've
seen the likes of Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, Jordan, book their places at next year's tournament for the first time.
But then we also have, without question, the political aspect of this. And, you know, people are talking about it in unprecedented terms. The 2018 draw
--
SOARES: Oh, I remember.
DAVIES: -- ahead of Russia was (CROSSTALK) held inside the Kremlin, which now seems very hard to believe. But Vladimir Putin was there, the Emir of
Qatar was there ahead of 2022.
But what we've seen here is this coming together of FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino and President Trump. We were hearing exactly what this
means to President Trump. But also, of course, this is a tournament being hosted by three different countries.
And the irony of where we are now, the political landscape, is that when it was awarded in 2018, this was dubbed the United Bid. That was what was
written on all the branding. But we've seen how those political relations between the three countries have changed since it was announced as the
winner in 2018.
And actually, the pictures we're seeing inside the room with the three leaders. I don't know whether you've noticed the geography.
SOARES: Yes.
DAVIES: But it's not immediately apparent that they're sitting together.
SOARES: No. We can tell from the image there that Mark Carney of Canada, you can see there is just one seat down from -- from President Trump.
I can't tell -- I did see Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico. Can't tell exactly where she is within --within that seating area. But clearly, she's not
next. She's not close to the president from that.
DAVIES: And if there's one thing I -- yes. And if there's one thing I know from being in these rooms and being in the rehearsals, nothing is done by
chance.
SOARES: Yes.
DAVIES: Every shot is chosen, where everybody sits is chosen. And that is not -- will not have been done.
SOARES: And very briefly, you're holding a ball because I think you've been through so many of this. So just talk us through exactly how it will work.
DAVIES: Yes. So I've been honored to -- to be part of the draw team for the last two women's editions of the draw. And this is one of the balls. This
is what we're going to be talking about. This was the draw -- one of the balls from the Australia and New Zealand.
And each of the draws has a different design for the balls. So this was half Australia, half New Zealand. And these are what will be brought out of
the balls as the draw process goes on.
I don't know what -- do you want to do the honors?
SOARES: Yes. Well, no, you do it. It's OK. You go ahead.
DAVIES: So the -- the ball will be unscrewed. And inside, every ball is the name. And there we go, this was the England one. I was given that,
obviously, because of my loyalties as a little moment.
SOARES: But in terms of top seeds, they're not going to be able to meet each other on the early stages. They're -- they're going to be divvying up,
right?
DAVIES: Yes. There are a few --
SOARES: That will be fair --
DAVIES: -- there are a few things that have changed for this. We know, as is always the case, the three hosts will be drawn out first. So they are in
pot one. And --
SOARES: That's Canada and Mexico, United States.
DAVIES: Yes. So if people have their charts ready, I don't know whether they do, Mexico are A1, Canada are B1, USA already.
SOARES: Just so high-tech.
DAVIES: D1. I mean --
SOARES: I mean, look how high-tech this is.
DAVIES: Don being there has the official version. This is the Amanda Davies version.
[12:20:04]
And then the other teams in pot one, the other nine, are the best nine ranked teams in the world. Spain being number one.
SOARES: Right.
DAVIES: And there's a new seeding system that's been introduced by FIFA this year, which means Argentina, France, Spain and England, the top four
will not be able to meet until the semifinals, at least.
As long as they finish top of their groups, we can't guarantee that.
SOARES: Right.
DAVIES: And we've known from past that is -- it doesn't always go as planned. But there are quite a few rules.
SOARES: Yes.
DAVIES: And there's different permutations. There is a computer system that is at play. We know these aren't fast processes, but it will be fascinating
to watch.
SOARES: We'll talk about more as well confederations, because I'm kind of interested in, can you have, you know, teams within certain confederations
meet each other? But we'll -- we'll talk about that in just a moment.
Amanda Davies is going to stay with us throughout.
And coming up right here, fans are biting their nails as they wait to see which World Cup group their team will be drawn in. We take you to the
streets of Atlanta to see how Americans are reacting to the latest.
Plus this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Excitement is in the air and hating quite rightly so. Details on the tournament. Cinderella stories, coming up.
And then later, can you guess how much tickets are going for with monitoring those prices for you? That's just ahead.
You are watching a special coverage.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON JONES, FROM FLORIDA: I really don't think people here in the States understand how big a deal this is. This is bigger than the Olympics. This
is bigger than the Super Bowl.
JEFF BERDING, CEO, CINCINNATI FC: We know how to host big events. And this will be a party in all the cities.
Yes, the U.S. will be ready.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: You can see how excited they are. Football fans across the world are glued to their screens as they wait for the results of the World Cup
draw. And lots of nerves around who their national team will play ahead, of course, on the knockout stage of the tournament.
Let's get the reaction from some of the fans celebrating their draw. I want to bring in CNN's Andy Scholes who is in the streets of Atlanta.
Andy, it seems that everyone's very excited about this. Give us a sense of the scene and what you're hearing there in Atlanta.
ANDY SCHOLES, SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Isa, it is a party here in the streets of Atlanta. So many fans turned out just to watch the World Cup draw here.
They got a big screen here ready. And, you know, Atlanta, it's going to have eight World Cup games here in this city, including a semifinal.
Only the city of Arlington, Texas will have more World Cup games here in the U.S. than Atlanta. And I tell you what, Atlanta, an international city.
I talked to fans from Brazil, from Argentina, from Spain, and of course from here in the U.S., and I asked them, what are they hoping to see at
this World Cup draw?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[12:25:10]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hoping for not a group of death. I wouldn't mind a challenge for the guys to get the preps for the -- for the knockout rounds,
but let's get to the knockout rounds first. That would be great.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If we get too easy of a group, you can feel a little complacent, so challenge us early, but not too bad, of course. So we can
get our rhythm in that group stage.
SCHOLES: What are you hoping for Argentina?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, hopefully it's going to be an -- an easy group.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want it to be easy. I don't want it to be hard. I just want it to be just right. Get our momentum, get the team going, get
the flows, get -- get the -- get enough wins that will get us out of the group stage.
SCHOLES: No group of death?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No group of death. No, no, no, no, no.
SCHOLES: What are you hoping for in Brazil's group?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not the group of death. Like the past two World Cups, we've gotten Serbia, we've gotten Switzerland both times. So I don't want
to -- I don't want to play either of those. I'd rather play a nation, a smaller nation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we got like Croatia and then maybe like an Italy or New Zealand and then like Ghana. We need to beat Ghana a couple times in a
row, so it would be nice to have them on the -- in the group again.
SCHOLES: So you want the top row?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes. Let's do it. Let's, you know, let's pile through it, man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: Yes. And that fan Antonio from Brazil, Isa, he told me that he was born in Brazil, now lives here in Atlanta. It's going to be the best year
of his life with the World Cup now coming to him.
But the excitement is just building. All these fans want to see what group they are going to be in. And all of them, of course, said hopefully not
that group of death.
SOARES: Hopefully not the group of death. There's a lot of strategy from the fans you picked. Very clever sound bites there.
Andy, appreciate it. Thank you very much.
And still to come right here on the show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Imagine a Super Bowl being played every single day for a month.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: It is the biggest football party in the world. And Team USA is ready to play in front of a home crowd for the first time in decades.
Plus, we'll look at FIFA's balancing act between tech, as well as traditions. Details ahead on the new refereeing technologies being
considered for the 2026 World Cup.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:30:50]
SOARES: Welcome back to our special coverage of FIFA's World Cup Draw. Live from London, I'm Isa Soares.
It's World Cup fever in snowy Washington, D.C. We've seen celebrities, world leaders and sports stars, this Kennedy Center waiting to find out
which teams are playing each other next summer's men's World Cup Draw.
And the draw, we've told, is moments away. The U.S. president is attending the draw. He's seen alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, both of whom
have become very good friends.
And happening just moments ago, President Trump was honored with a special FIFA Peace Prize, a first of its kind, of course, for his exceptional
action, being told for ending wars, Serbia, India, Ethiopia, Israel, Hamas, and working to bring lasting peace to the war between Ukraine and Russia.
But the main attraction, of course, is the football, the 2026 World Cup is the biggest to date, with 48 competing. Let's listen, first of all, to the
world, to the Peace Prize and to President Donald Trump. Let's have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GIANNI INFANTINO, PRESIDENT, FIFA: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, this is your prize. This is your Peace Prize. There is also a
beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going to wear it right now.
INFANTINO: OK. Let me hold. Fantastic. Excellent.
And you will receive also, of course, a certificate, which reads out, and I would read it out with your permission, what are the reasons for you
receiving this FIFA Peace Prize Football Unites the World.
So the FIFA Peace Prize is presented annually on behalf of the billions of football-loving people from around the world to a distinguished individual
who exemplifies an unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through their notable leadership and action.
And therefore, FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, awards the 2025 FIFA Peace Prize, Football Unites the World, to Donald J.
Trump, President of the United States of America, in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the
world. Friday, December 5th, 2025.
This is the certificate. It's yours.
Before giving you the floor, Mr. President, if I may say towards, like everyone here in the room, we see images of war all over the world. And
like everyone, we suffer for every child that dies. We cry with every mother that loses someone she loves. And we want to see hope. We want to
see unity. We want to see a future.
And I was lucky, Mr. President, to witness last a few years ago the Abraham Accord signatures. A few months ago in Sharm El-Sheikh, the peace in the
Middle East agreement regarding Gaza, I was in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur for the peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Yesterday here in Washington,
the Washington Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the DRC.
Well, this is what we want from a leader. A leader that cares about the people. We want to live in a safe world, in a safe environment. We want to
unite. That's what we do here today. That's what we'll do at the World Cup, Mr. President.
[12:35:04]
And you definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way, but you obtained it in an incredible
way. And you can always count, Mr. President, on my support on the support of the entire football community, or soccer community, to help you make
peace and make the world prosper all over the world.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The floor is all yours. Thank you.
TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. This is truly one of the great honors of my life. And beyond awards, Gianni and I were discussing this. We saved
millions and millions of lives.
The Congo is an example. Over 10 million people killed. And it was heading for another 10 million very quickly.
And it just -- you know, the fact that we could do that -- India, Pakistan, so many different wars that we're able to end. In some cases, a little bit
before they started, just right before they started. It was going to be late, but we got them done.
And it's such an honor to be with Gianni. I've known Gianni for so long. He's done such an incredible job. And I have to tell you, you've set new
records on ticket sales and not to bring that up, because we don't want to bring a thing like that up right now. But it's an awfully nice tribute to
you and to the game of football, or as we call it, soccer, but football, and that is an amazing thing.
The numbers are beyond any numbers that anybody even beyond what Johnny thought was possible.
INFANTINO: Definitely.
TRUMP: I want to thank, by the way, my family, my great first lady, Melania. You're right here, and thank you very much.
(APPLAUSE)
And I think you're going to have an event the likes of which maybe the world has never seen based on the enthusiasm that I've seen. I have never
seen anything like it. We've had a tremendous relationship, working relationship with Canada. We have our Prime Minister of Canada there, and
we have our President of Mexico.
Now, we've worked closely with those two countries, and the coordination and friendship and relationship has been outstanding. And I want to thank
you both very much, and your countries very much.
But most importantly, I just want to thank everybody. The world is a safer place now. The United States one year ago was not doing too well. And now I
have to say, we're the hottest country anywhere in the world and we're going to keep it that way.
Thank you all. Thank you. Have a great time. And, Gianni, a tremendous honor. Thank you.
INFANTINO: Thank you. Thank you, President. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: You've been listening there to President Trump, of course, and to Gianni Infantino of FIFA.
You heard Infantino giving the president, not only a trophy, a trophy for peace, but also a medal and a certificate in which he said he outlined the
reasons for giving Donald J. Trump the first Peace Prize. He said for his unwavering commitment, his words to advancing peace, to his leadership.
President Trump clearly moved by it. He says, this is beyond the greatest honors of my life. He then went on to list some of the wars that he says he
has ended, Congo, 10 million people killed, according to him, India and Pakistan. And then spoke of clearly about the relationship that he has with
the co-hosts of other countries, President Sheinbaum of Mexico and the Prime Minister, Mark Carney of Canada.
The he spoke of coordination, friendship, an outstanding friendship. And we know pretty well, having spoken about this, how just -- how tense
relationships have been between both when it comes to tariffs and the geopolitical aspect of it.
Let's stick to what we've heard. I've got Amanda Davies with me. Don Riddell is at the Kennedy Center. Let me just quickly go to Amanda.
Amanda, I mean, this was the first Peace Prize. It shouldn't surprise us that he really got it. He pretty much hinted, right, Infantino that this
was -- this was going to happen.
But it's kind of odd because there's a mix of politics and sport which really you normally don't want to see.
DAVIES: No. The party line is that football is above and beyond the politics, but all the indicators, this was perhaps the least surprising
event of today.
But President Donald Trump had said, he joked when the World Cup trophy went into the Oval Office that he asked if he could keep it. He, of course,
had said very publicly he wanted to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Well, I mean, if you look at this trophy, the gold trophy with the ball on the top and the hands around the side, we have a replica of the World Cup
trophy here. It couldn't really get much closer to the trophy that he has just got his hands on than the World Cup trophy.
[12:40:09]
But I mean, I think this is something that makes people a little bit uncomfortable on a -- on a -- on a lot of very different levels. It was
something that FIFA announced just days after President Trump missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
And various human rights groups, particularly over the last 24, 48 hours, have spoken out very strongly about it. President Infantino there said this
is a prize awarded on behalf of billions of football fans around the world.
But Human Rights Watch, Minky Worden, has said this. She said there has been no transparency around FIFA's Peace Prize process. Human Rights Watch
has written to FIFA to request a list of the nominees, the judges, the criteria, and the process for the Peace Prize.
Human Rights Watch received no response and fair square for their part of - - echoed really the same view. The latest example of serious misgovernance FIFA, harmful to the integrity and reputation of the game.
SOARES: Yes. It's supposed to be political neutrality, right? That's what it's supposed to be based around. Stay with us, Amanda.
Let me go to Don Riddell. Don, speak to this relationship. You can tell how close Infantino was there with Trump. I think he called him Gianni. I think
was how he described him.
We have certainly seen Infantino more times in the White House than any other leader. Speak to that bromance.
RIDDELL: It does seem to be like a bromance, doesn't it? I think both men feel as though they have something to gain from their friendship and their
relationship with the other.
Gianni Infantino is not just the FIFA president. It's a position that makes him one of the most influential, if not one of the most powerful men in all
of sport. And he sees himself as a global statesman.
And Donald Trump sees the opportunity in the alliance with Infantino as a chance to remain in the spotlight at all times. And this event today
absolutely puts an exclamation point on that.
As Amanda was saying, some people find their friendship to be too close. Perhaps inappropriate, the amount of times that Infantino has been seen in
the White House this year is remarkable.
And the timing of the announcement of this Peace Prize needs to be discussed. Infantino accompanied Donald Trump to Egypt for the signing of
the ceasefire deal. He lobbied for Donald Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
And when that didn't happen, within literally just a matter of weeks, FIFA announced that they were going to be bringing in this new Peace Prize. And
it's no surprise that Donald Trump was awarded it.
The only surprise I think here today was the brevity of his acceptance speech. He only spoke for a couple of minutes. I can't remember the last
time he said that about President Donald Trump.
SOARES: Yes, it was brief. But, of course, I think he understands that everyone's waiting to find out when, who's going to get what. But clearly
huge questions that you say, Don, regarding FIFA's role in here.
And no doubt they will face further criticism as we have seen in previous years.
DAVIES: And I suspect, you know, there are certain people in that room waiting for the draw, the representatives from Haiti and Iran, for example,
who's supporters are not going to be allowed at this tournament because of President Trump's travel ban who might feel particularly aggrieved by what
has been played out.
SOARES: And if they're not more, because I think it's supposed to go up to 32 countries,
Amanda, thank you very much. Don Riddell, if you're still with us. Thank you, Don. Appreciate it.
Do stay right here. Our special coverage continues after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:34]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
INFANTINO: It's not anymore the 20th century. It is the future. We have to look into that. Football is more than just Europe and South America.
Football is global.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: And that was the FIFA president back in 2017, talking about the future of football. And it would appear that the future is now with Canada
co-hosting the global sporting event for the first time in history next summer.
Thirteen matches will be played in Canada. Six of them in Toronto and the other seven on the West -- in the West Coast in Vancouver.
Joining us now live from a World Cup watch party in Toronto, Allison Hurst from CTV.
Allison, everyone seems to be sitting, eating, quite muted. Well, give us a sense of the mood there.
ALLISON HURST, CTV REPORTER: Lots of excitement here, Isa. Certainly everybody is watching an anticipation, waiting to find out who is going to
be in Canada's group for the World Cup, who their opponents are going to be.
We've got people here, though, in the City of Toronto for this watch party wearing jerseys of all countries, which is what's so fun and so iconic of
Toronto. It is a diversity here. And we're certainly seeing that diversity in this room right now.
Lots of people coming together for the love of sport, watching, waiting to find out who this draw is going to be. They've got refreshments here for
everybody. They've got some merchandise here for people to check out. And then, of course, waiting for the moment, we finally find out who is going
to be in Canada's group and who Team Canada will face.
We do know that Canada is going to be playing its first three games in Canada. There's going to be the first game on June 12, which is going to be
here in Toronto at our BMO Field. That's where our Toronto TFC, the MLS team plays. And there's a number of players who are here today.
And then the other two games Canada is going to play will be on the West Coast in Vancouver.
SOARES: Allison, thank you very much indeed. And as Allison was speaking, we're seeing now the draw is about to start. We've got President Trump.
We've also had President Sheinbaum of Mexico, Prime Minister Carney, about to kick off the festivities and really the draw in full froth is about to
start any moment now.
But still to come, how much will it cost to watch the games in person? We'll check the ticket prices when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:50:35]
SOARES: We are moments away from a World Cup draw. Let me show you the images coming to us from Kennedy Center. We can bring those up because
we're seeing the -- the leaders of the countries that are co-hosting there.
You can see President Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. And to her left, you can't see in the shot there, is Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada.
And, Amanda, this is something you, right? We haven't seen this before, using what the leaders of those countries to actually play a role in taking
-- picking the countries, right?
DAVIES: This is unusual. This -- this is the position stood behind the podiums with the balls at each of the pots, you would normally see legends
of the football game.
But what I think we are now going to see, judging by the colors, is as always the ceremonial drawing of the first ball which are the host
countries, and, of course, here we have three host countries.
There had been a little bit of criticism that so much of the focus was on the United States. But actually, I think this is a really lovely moment,
having all three leaders together.
That's Gianni Infantino giving them a lesson.
SOARES: He's teaching. Let's have a listen to what he says.
INFANTINO: You see there is a little paper inside. You take out the paper these two things. You can throw them in here. And then you can show to the
public what do you have drawn, which for me is FIFA. Of course, I'm just a moderator.
Mr. Carney, do you want to start? Don't forget. And pick the right ball, please.
Aha. Already chosen.
SOARES: Here we go.
INFANTINO: OK. Let's see --
DAVIES: So --
INFANTINO: -- which team will be drawn by Mr. Mark Carney. Oh, Canada. Oh. Congratulations.
SOARES: All right. Prime Minister Carney --
INFANTINO: Canada, ladies and gentlemen, the first in drawn --
SOARES: He's the first one.
INFANTINO: -- in this World Cup group. B1 for Canada, by the way. We can continue --
DAVIES: Interestingly, the -- the graphics were wrong there. Canada is B1 not D1.
SOARES: Yes.
DAVIES: We were -- we were asking if technology can go wrong. I had a little hard-stuffed moment there, but no Canada in group B1. Mexico, as
predicted -- as predicted, I think will now be placed into group A in spot A1.
SOARES: There we go.
INFANTINO: We'll now be placed into group
President Trump, up to you. Don't forget to mingle, to mix.
TRUMP: I think I know what this is doing to be now. But let's see.
INFANTINO: Are you sure? Are you sure this is the ball? You can still change it if you want.
TRUMP: Does he know something that I don't know? Let's give it a shot.
INFANTINO: Let's give it a shot. Let's give it a shot. I agree. OK.
TRUMP: This is shocking.
INFANTINO: United States of America.
Excellent group B1. Can I ask all the three of you to lift like this on your chest? In front of your chest like this. Yes. The name of the country.
And we will give a nice photo. Excellent.
And if I can ask you to come in front here for another photo with the paper. There. Here, where you will see the -- viola, here, for another
photos so that everyone can see what you have drawn. Here we are.
(APPLAUSE)
[12:55:08]
Thank you very much. Well done. Congratulations.
SOARES: You have been looking there at the leaders, of course, of the host nations picking obviously the slot the country. I'm just -- I'm just
pausing because I'm seeing Infantino taking this moment to take a selfie which is quite something.
But this is new to all of us, specifically to Amanda, especially to Amanda who's seen many of these. I haven't seen anything quite like this.
Welcome to the show. I'm Isa Soares. We are live from London. We're -- going to be with us for the next several hours. Our special coverage of
FIFA's World Cup draw continues right here.
And -- and, Amanda, can I just start first of all with that moment? And, first of all, we knew where each country was going to be, right? This was
no surprise.
But the fact we saw the leaders on stage at a sporting event that's not supposed to be political, this is quite something.
DAVIES: Yes.
SOARES: And I don't want to make the whole thing political.
DAVIES: We -- we have -- we have seen political leaders at World Cup draws in the past. We saw Vladimir Putin there in 2018. We saw the Emir of Qatar
there ahead of 2022.
But ahead of this tournament, we've talked about this unprecedented coming together of football and politics. And you have never seen that like we
have seen that.
SOARES: And we will continue the discussion after this short break. Amanda will stay here. I'll be here. Do stay right here for much more of our
special coverage. You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
