US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would move 2026 FIFA World Cup matches out of any host cities he deems unsafe, injecting political tension into preparations for the global tournament.
Speaking in the Oval Office, the President explicitly mentioned Democratic strongholds like Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles as potential targets, stating, “If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city.”
The threat aligns with his central agenda on crime, following recent deployments of the National Guard to other major cities.
The US is scheduled to host 78 of the 104 matches, including the final.
While the tournament’s governing body, FIFA, is technically in charge of host city selection, Mr. Trump holds a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and chairs the World Cup taskforce.
The President’s statement raises questions about his authority and the immense logistical challenges of changing venues just months before the group stage draw in December 2025.
