Village People set up meeting with Donald Trump at World Cup draw

The World Cup draw in Washington is set to deliver drama before a single ball is kicked, and this time the spotlight is on an unexpected reunion between Donald Trump and the iconic disco group Village People.

With the US President set to attend and the band scheduled to perform their famous hit “YMCA”, all eyes will be on how this unlikely encounter unfolds.

Friday’s World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center promises glamour, music, and the usual global football anticipation especially with Village People, whose classic anthem “YMCA” has become a staple at Trump’s rallies, set to perform the same track live in front of the President himself.

Despite their music being embraced by Trump’s base, not everyone from the group is thrilled about the association.

Former member Jim Newman recently distanced the original lineup from the current one, insisting that the band he belonged to “would never, ever perform at a Trump rally,” and stressing their loyalty to the strong LGBTQ+ fanbase that built their legacy.

Trump is expected to be front and centre as the draw unfolds, with the White House confirming his attendance alongside a glittering cast of performers, including Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hosts Kevin Hart, Heidi Klum and Danny Ramirez will guide proceedings that are set to last several hours. One of the ceremony’s newest additions is FIFA’s “Peace Prize,” which will be handed out before the group pairings for the 48-team tournament are revealed.

Trump’s presence at football events has become somewhat of a sideshow in recent months, often sparking confusion or amusement.

Last summer’s Club World Cup final saw Chelsea’s Reece James and Cole Palmer visibly puzzled as the president remained on stage during the trophy lift.

Juventus players experienced something similar during their summer visit to the White House, where Trump awkwardly asked whether a woman could make their men’s team, a question that left Weston McKennie stunned and forced Manuel Locatelli into a diplomatic response.

Trump has continued to attract attention through his interactions with global stars. Cristiano Ronaldo and fiancée Georgina Rodriguez were recently hosted at a black-tie dinner, only for Trump to later share a bizarre AI-generated video of himself and Ronaldo playing football in the Oval Office.

This unpredictable energy is now set to collide with the World Cup draw, a moment usually reserved for ceremony and structure.