Donald Trump's presence at the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington marks a curious full-circle moment for the former US President, who has a little-known history at the heart of a major football competition.
The Bizarre 1991 Rumbelows Cup Draw
Long before his political career, in 1991, Donald Trump was enlisted to assist with the draw for the fifth round of the Rumbelows Cup, the English Football League Cup sponsored by an electronics chain at the time. His appearance was arranged for ITV's popular Saint and Greavsie programme, fronted by former Liverpool striker Ian St John and Tottenham legend Jimmy Greaves.
The presenters were in New York filming coverage of the qualifying draw for the 1994 World Cup. According to reports, after failed attempts to secure Hollywood stars like Robert De Niro or Woody Allen, a producer found Trump at a FIFA event. The future president agreed to host the draw at his iconic Trump Tower.
"He agreed, even though he clearly knew nothing about football," the late Ian St John told the Guardian in a 2016 interview. St John believed Trump saw it as a chance for self-promotion to a large British TV audience, but noted he was cooperative and respectful of the former pros.
A Memorable Moment and a Novelty Mug
The draw itself, overseen by Football League secretary David Dent, produced a classic tie. Trump drew Manchester United away to face rivals Leeds United, prompting St John to exclaim "Ooh, Donald" and Greaves to remark, "you don't realise what you've done there." Trump replied, "That's a big one. Sounds like a game I want to go to."
The segment concluded with a brief chat about 'soccer' in the US, where Trump expressed hope the upcoming 1994 World Cup would help the sport catch on. As a token of thanks, Greaves presented Trump with a Saint and Greavsie novelty mug, humorously dubbing it the "most prestigious award in footballing history." The mug revealed the phrase "It's a funny old game" when filled with hot coffee.
From League Cup to World Cup Stage
The draw's aftermath saw Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously phone the show's producer to angrily ask, "What is this gimmick?" His side, then second in the league, faced a tough trip to league leaders Leeds. United ultimately won that tie 3-1 en route to winning the competition.
Today, Trump's role is significantly grander. At the World Cup draw, he is expected to take the stage for a ceremonial ball-draw ahead of the 2026 tournament, to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Prior to this, reports indicate he will be honoured with FIFA's inaugural peace prize, accepting the award and delivering remarks.
This journey from a quirky guest on a British football show to a central figure at a global sporting spectacle underscores Trump's long, and often unexpected, intersection with the world of football.
