Carney meets Trump and Sheinbaum in rare joint appearance at FIFA World Cup final draw

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington for the final draw of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time the three leaders have appeared together since tensions rose over Trump’s recent trade actions.

Carney entered a private viewing box reserved for the Canadian delegation shortly before the draw began. The box was located beside the American section, allowing for a brief exchange between the prime minister and President Trump. Earlier in the afternoon, Carney held a short meeting with President Sheinbaum, lasting roughly 15 minutes, to discuss preparations for the tri-nation tournament.

All three leaders later took the stage for the official draw ceremony. Speaking at the event, Carney highlighted the significance of Canada co-hosting the tournament and noted the growing popularity of soccer across the country. This year marks the first time that matches in the men’s FIFA World Cup will take place on Canadian soil.

According to the federal government, the tournament is expected to generate an estimated 25,000 jobs across Canada and contribute close to 2 billion dollars to the national economy. Cities in Western Canada, including Vancouver, have previously noted that hosting responsibilities could bring long-term benefits to local tourism and infrastructure development.