6.20 p.m.: Next item on the program: Superstars Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger perform the new World Cup song “Desire”. Video recordings of fans from various nations from the last World Cups are playing on the screen in the background.
6:18 p.m.: Bizarre moment at the Kennedy Center. Infantino first encourages the Americans present to shout “USA, USA”, then the Canadians “Canada, Canada”, and then the Mexicans “Mexico, Mexico” – probably to create a good atmosphere.
6:11 p.m.: Now it’s time for Gianni Infantino’s big entrance. The FIFA President also welcomes the guests into the hall. He extends a particularly warm welcome to US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum will also be greeted separately by Infantino.
6:05 p.m.: The moderators come on stage: actor Kevin Hart and the German supermodel Heidi Klum address the first words to the audience. Klum wears a gold glitter dress. Film star Danny Ramirez is in the audience as a reporter and personally greets some of the guests.
6:00 p.m.: It starts in Washington. The event will open with a musical contribution by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.
5:57 p.m.: US President Donald Trump has already arrived. On the red carpet he answered questions from reporters together with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino.
5:50 p.m.: The tension rises. It starts in ten minutes.
5:37 p.m.: By the way, it is already clear which groups the three hosts will end up in. Mexico is head of Group A and will open the tournament on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City. Canada is head of Group B, the USA is head of Group D. It is therefore clear that Germany will not start the World Cup until June 13th at the earliest, as the groups of Canada and the USA will play on the 12th.