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Hey there, I'm Asma Khalid.

And I'm Tristan Redmond, and we're here with a bonus episode for you from the Global Story Podcast.

Every day we focus on one story, looking at how America and the world shape each other.

We recorded this episode last week ahead of the FIFA World Cup draw here in Washington, D.C.

And it is a fascinating look at the growing bromance between President Trump and the President

of FIFA. And if you like this episode, you can hear more from us by searching for The Global

Story wherever you listen to podcasts.

At today's 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center here in Washington, D.C., millions of people around the world will be watching to see who their country will face in a bid to win the biggest trophy in the sport we here call soccer.

And today, it won't be players lining up to shake hands and collect a medal. Instead, the winner will likely be President Trump,

who is widely predicted to win the very first FIFA Peace Prize. The prize was created by the

sport's most powerful man Gianni Infantino, and it's the latest

in a series of spectacles which skeptics see as an attempt to cozy up to the American

President.

I would like to thank President Trump, with whom I have a great friendship, and to assure

him that together we will make not only America great again,

but also the entire world.

And this all is raising questions about what it means for FIFA

as a supposedly politically neutral organization.

From the BBC, I'm Asma Khalid in Washington, D.C.

And today on the global story, what happens when the lines between politics, diplomacy, and sports are blurred? Can I have you introduce yourself?

Dan Rowan, I'm the sports editor for the BBC.

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