Key Takeaways:
- FIFA suggested that President Donald Trump could request the relocation of 2026 World Cup matches if specific host cities are deemed unsafe
- FIFA emphasised that governments hold responsibility for safety, but final decisions on host cities remain with the organisation
- The 2026 tournament across the USA, Canada, and Mexico will feature 48 teams for the first time, with 28 nations already qualified
Trump Signals Possible Venue Changes Over Safety Concerns
FIFA has indicated that United States President Donald Trump may have the capacity to recommend the removal of World Cup 2026 matches from cities he considers unsafe. The upcoming tournament, set for next summer, will see the United States, Canada, and Mexico share hosting duties, with fans converging on 11 cities in the USA: Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Kansas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, and Miami.
🚨 Donald Trump has claimed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino would move World Cup matches from certain cities if the US president decides they are "unsafe".
He has also said that he would be prepared to strip Los Angeles of the 2028 Olympics if the City didn't clean up its… pic.twitter.com/soMEu5SFeE
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 16, 2025
Trump has stated that he could “very easily” persuade FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino to shift matches if certain locations present security risks. In particular, he has named San Francisco and Seattle as potential concerns, while recent unrest in Boston has also been noted. Additionally, Trump expressed his willingness to move the 2028 Olympic Games away from Los Angeles if he deems the city unprepared for the event. Addressing reporters, he said: “If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who’s phenomenal, and I would say, ‘Let’s move it to another location’. And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily. He’d do it and this is the right time to do it.
“I could say the same thing for the Olympics. If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location. If I had to on that one, I’d probably have to get a different kind of a permission, but we would do that.”
FIFA and IOC Respond to Political Comments
FIFA President Gianni Infantino maintains a strong relationship with President Trump, underscored by their recent joint appearance at a peace summit in Egypt. While FIFA holds the authority to reallocate fixtures, the body’s vice-president clarified at Leaders Week London: “FIFA makes those decisions. With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.”
Nonetheless, a FIFA spokesperson acknowledged that input from national leaders, including Trump, would be taken under consideration if safety is at stake, stating: “Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide. Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility and they decide what is in the best interest for public safety. We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements.”
A spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) addressed Trump’s remarks concerning the 2028 Olympics, noting: “The Olympic Games LA28 have the full support of the President of the United States, the Governor of California and the Mayor of Los Angeles. All of them are being extremely helpful in the preparations for these Games. This is mirrored on the operational level of the administration. There are three years to go and we are confident that LA28 will be great Olympic Games.”
Current World Cup Preparations and Expanded Format
According to ESPN, there are currently “no issues with any of the 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico” set to stage matches during the 2026 World Cup. Should circumstances evolve, the situation could be reviewed, but at present, each chosen city maintains its status as a host.
This iteration of the World Cup will be historic as the first to welcome 48 participating nations, expanding from the previous 32-team format. Twenty-eight countries, including first-time entrants Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde, have already booked their places. Argentina, led potentially by eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient Lionel Messi, will aim to retain the title they secured at Qatar 2022.
