News & Politics

Road Closures for Friday’s FIFA World Cup Draw

Streets around the Kennedy Center will be shut down until 3 PM today.

The Kennedy Center will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw today. Photograph courtesy of the Kennedy Center.
On this snowy Friday morning in DC, the 48 teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be split up into opposing pairs at a Kennedy Center bash that will host Donald Trump, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. The event taking over DCs beleaguered performing arts center is a big production: in addition to the world leaders whose nations will host World Cup matches next year, the event will feature performers including Kevin Hart, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger, and Trump’s favorite, the Village People.
The draw doesnt begin until noon today, but roads are already shut down. Drivers dropping off event attendees can enter the Kennedy Center from 27th and K streets, NW.

These streets will remain closed for both parking and vehicle traffic through 3:00 PM today:

Rock Creek Parkway from Cathedral Avenue to Potomac River Freeway

F Street from Rock Creek Parkway and 25th Street, NW

Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue and F Street, NW

25th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue and F Street, NW

Thompson Boat Center Parking Lot

Parkway Drive, NW

Virginia Avenue from 22nd Street to Rock Creek Parkway, NW

27th Street from K Street to Virginia Avenue, NW

Exit to I Street from northbound Potomac River Freeway

These streets are closed until 3 PM, except for local traffic and deliveries:

24th Street from K Street to Virginia Avenue, NW

New Hampshire Avenue from Washington Circle to Virginia Avenue, NW

I Street from 23rd Street to 26th Street, NW

H Street from 23rd Street to New Hampshire Avenue, NW

G Street from 23rd Street to Virginia Avenue, NW

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Staff Writer

Ike Allen covers politics, food, culture, and transportation in DC and writes the monthly Hidden Eats column for the magazine. He grew up in DC.