FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in Washington D.C., ahead of final draw ceremony

VIDEO SHOWS: FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY 2026 ON DISPLAY IN WASHINGTON D.C. / SOUNDBITE OF ENGLAND LEGEND RIO FERDINAND, HOST OF THE DRAW CEREMONY  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 3, 2025) (FIFA – Editorial use only, no resale, no monetisation) 1. (MUTE) U.S. CAPITOL (MUTE)  2. (MUTE) LINCOLN MEMORIAL  3. (MUTE) WASHINGTON MONUMENT 4. (MUTE) FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY ON DISPLAY IN THE BACKDROP OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 5. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF WORLD CUP TROPHY ON DISPLAY IN THE BACKDROP OF THE U.S CAPITOL  6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ENGLAND FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN AND HOST OF FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW CEREMONY RIO FERDINAND, SAYING: "It’s a huge moment. We’re all… as a fan, I sit there and watch these events all the time, because I want to see where my country is going to be placed –who is their first game? All these things here that really make for, kind of, the build-up, then the runway into the (FIFA) World Cup. It starts getting tasty, it starts getting tantalising, and you can start really feeling where we’re going to fit out, look at the road –the route –to the final, the semi-finals, the quarter-finals. So, all of those aspects really start from here, up on this stage. So, I can’t wait. Some of the guests we’ve got coming, some of the stars and surprises we have for you guys (are) going to be really, really crazy exquisite. So, I’m looking forward to it." 7. (MUTE) FERDINAND TALKING TO MEDIA 8. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY ON DISPLAY IN THE BACKDROP OF 'FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW STAGE 9. (MUTE) FIFA WORLD CUP BALL TRIONDA ON DISPLAY IN THE BACKDROP OF FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW STAGE STORY: The FIFA World Trophy has arrived in Washington D.C., touring some of the United States capital’s most iconic sites ahead of the much-anticipated Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place on Friday (December 5). Football’s ultimate prize was then showcased at the legendary John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where FIFA Legend Rio Ferdinand and FIFA representatives welcomed media for an exclusive sneak peek of the draw hall. The former England captain shared his pride and excitement as he prepares to conduct the historic 48-team Final Draw alongside award-winning broadcaster Samantha Johnson on Friday. A stellar line-up of draw assistants — Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal — will join the proceedings in a remarkable crossover of global sporting greats, with special guest Eli Manning bringing additional star power as the event’s red carpet host. (Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo)

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