US President Donald Trump has said he will move matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup away from any American cities he considers unsafe, casting uncertainty over the staging of the tournament just months before kick-off.
The United States is set to host 78 of the 104 matches at the expanded 48-team tournament, which will also be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. Eleven US cities have been confirmed as venues: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. The US will also stage the final.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump insisted safety would be paramount. “It will be safe for the World Cup. If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city,” he said. He singled out Democratic-run cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, both due to stage six matches, as well as Los Angeles, which is scheduled to host eight fixtures and the 2028 Olympic Games.
“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the Olympics, but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it to go. We’ll move it around a little bit,” Trump added.
It remains unclear whether the president has the authority to enforce such changes. FIFA, world football’s governing body, is solely responsible for the organisation of the tournament and the selection of host cities. Altering venues at this stage would pose major logistical challenges, including stadium readiness, ticketing, accommodation, and broadcasting arrangements.
However, Trump enjoys a close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and currently serves as chair of the World Cup taskforce, which could give him some influence over tournament planning.
The remarks highlight the political undertones of the competition, which is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever staged in North America. With just under a year to go before the opening match, questions now remain over whether Trump’s threat could reshape the tournament’s schedule.
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