Political Matchups and Iran's Boycott

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at noon today at the Kennedy Center. The event is to determine which countries will fall into each group for the 48-team tournament this summer. But it’s not only a monumental day in the sports world: amid all the typical pageantry will be plenty of politicking. FIFA is plying President Donald Trump with praise and prizes. And Trump will be shaking hands with leaders of Canada and Mexico, the two other host nations with whom he has sparred at times. White House reporter Sophia Cai joins Playbook’s Adam Wren to break down all the behind-the-scenes drama and what you can expect from the draw.