Trump Threatens To Move World Cup Games From ‘Unsafe’ Host Cities
Trump Threatens To Move World Cup Games From ‘Unsafe’ Host Cities
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could pull 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from American host cities he considers unsafe, saying he is prepared to reassign games if security concerns arise.
Speaking Thursday from the Oval Office, Trump insisted the expanded 48-team tournament jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada would be “safe,” but cautioned that he would not hesitate to act if he believed fans, teams, or officials were at risk.
“It will be safe for the World Cup,” Trump told reporters. “But if I think it isn’t safe, even a little bit, we’ll move it into a different city.”
The U.S. is set to host the majority of the matches, with 11 American cities already selected, including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Many of these cities are Democratic-leaning metropolitan areas where Trump has frequently criticized local leadership over crime, immigration, and policing policies.
Trump’s remarks could reignite political tensions, as several of the selected venues particularly Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle have often been targeted by the former president for what he describes as “lawlessness” and “weak city governance.”
World Cup organizers have so far not commented on the possibility of venue changes, and FIFA traditionally retains final authority over tournament logistics. Security planning for the 2026 event is already underway, involving federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the first time the tournament expands to 48 teams, significantly increasing the number of matches and requiring more venues than in previous editions. With the U.S. hosting the bulk of the games, any shift in host cities could have major logistical and financial implications.
Trump, however, appeared undeterred, saying safety would come first. “The priority is making sure players and fans are secure. If that means moving games, that’s exactly what we’ll do,” he said.
