US President Donald Trump will be among the attendees when the World Cup draw takes place in Washington later today, but it will not be the first time he has been at the centre of football competition.
Back in 1991, Trump was called upon to help with the draw with the fifth round of the Rumbelows Cup - English Football's League Cup, then sponsored by an electronics company.
Trump's appearance came as part of ITV's Saint and Greavsie programme, hosted by former Liverpool striker Ian St John and Tottenham legend Jimmy Greaves.
The duo had been in New York to film the qualifying draw for the 1994 World Cup, the last time the United States hosted the showpiece.
According to the Times, ITV contacted Robert De Niro and Woody Allen's representatives about the prospect of them participating in the draw, but their request proved fruitless.
A producer had reportedly stumbled upon Trump at a FIFA drinks event and the future US President agreeing to participate, with his assistant informing them to come to Trump Tower to hold the draw.
'He agreed, even though he clearly knew nothing about football,' St John, who died in 2021, told the Guardian in a 2016 interview.
'I think the appeal for Donald was being on a TV show that had a large audience in Britain. He saw it as an opportunity to promote himself and his company.
'To be fair to Donald, he was really good with us. He respected the fact Jimmy and I were former pros and asked about that as the crew set up to film the draw.
'We also had a good chat about golf as he was really into that and we played a bit. But, as I say, he had no idea about football and certainly no idea what Rumbelows was. We didn't bother explaining it to him.'
Greaves flattered Trump in the early stages of the clip by praising his boardroom, declaring 'I haven't seen a boardroom like this since I was in Doug Ellis's at Aston Villa'.
Trump laughed along, despite presumably not knowing who the former Aston Villa owner was.
The draw was overseen by Football League secretary David Dent, with Greaves drawing the home teams and Trump the away sides.
The highlight of the clip, which has understandably gained wider attention in recent years, was Leeds United being drawn against rivals Manchester United.
'Ooh, Donald' St John states as the tie is drawn, with Greaves adding 'you don't realise what you've done there'.
'That's a big one,' Trump replied, 'Sounds like a game I want to go to.'
The draw concluded with a brief discussion about football - or soccer - as Trump mentions.
'It has never really worked out as well in the United States as it has elsewhere, Trump says.
'But we are hosting the World Cup pretty soon coming to the United States so that should be great, I love soccer, it is a great game. I played in high school.
'Other than the advertising I don't know [be involved in the World Cup] but it will be interesting to see whether it catches on in the United States.
The bizarre episode came to a close when Greaves presented Trump with a Saint and Greavsie mug, declaring it to be the 'most prestigious award in footballing history'.
Greaves showed Trump the novelty mug from the football show and informed him if he pours hot coffee into it, the words 'It's a funny old game' would appear.
According to the Times, Sir Alex Ferguson had called up the show's producer and furiously asked 'What is this gimmick?' following the draw.
Ferguson's side, who were second in the league at the time, faced a tough away tie against table topping Leeds.
Man United ultimately beat Leeds 3-1 to reach the semi-finals, before beating Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest to win the League Cup for the first time.
Trump will have an even larger role when he attends the World Cup draw.
The US President is expected to take the stage for a ceremonial ball-draw ahead of the tournament set to be hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Prior to the ceremonial draw, Trump is expected to be honoured with FIFA's first ever peace prize.
Trump will then accept the award and deliver some remarks on the stage.
