Village People will perform Trump anthem ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at World Cup draw, FIFA says

Follow The Athletic’s live build-up to tomorrow’s 2026 World Cup draw.
FIFA has announced that the Village People, the pop group that sings President Donald Trump’s adopted anthem of “Y.M.C.A.,” will perform at the World Cup draw Friday.
The draw will take place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5 in Washington for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Kennedy Center is chaired by Trump since he and his allies took over the venue’s board after his return to power earlier this year.
Trump has previously said he will be “involved” in the event.
On Tuesday night, FIFA announced what it described as a “world-class entertainment line-up” that will be co-hosted by supermodel, producer and Emmy-winning television personality Heidi Klum, as well as comedian Kevin Hart and actor and producer Danny Ramirez.
There will also be live music performances from classical singer Andrea Bocelli, as well as a duet between British pop star (and FIFA music ambassador) Robbie Williams and American singer Nicole Scherzinger.
FIFA said that when the draw has concluded, the Village People will treat the audience to an “iconic” performance of “Y.M.C.A.” The song was often heard at Make America Great Again rallies during Trump’s re-election campaign, as well as at Mar-a-Lago fundraisers, and Trump often dances along while his supporters sing the song.
FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino was present at Trump’s inauguration in January as well as his pre-inauguration rally.
After Trump expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which went to Venezuelan democracy advocate Maria Corina Machado, FIFA has since announced it will award its own Peace Prize at the draw Friday, which is widely expected to go to the U.S. president. Infantino previously wrote on Instagram, after the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, that Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. The Athletic has previously reported FIFA did not consult its own FIFA Council or the organization’s vice presidents before conceiving of or announcing the peace prize, and the council and vice presidents had no consultation on the selection criteria.
FIFA said the announcement of the draw conductors and assistants is still to follow. At the FIFA Club World Cup draw in Miami last December, Trump’s daughter Ivanka and grandson Theo made the ceremonial first picks.




