United States President Donald Trump has said he will move 2026 FIFA World Cup matches away from any host city he considers unsafe.
The tournament, which will feature 48 teams and be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has 11 American cities scheduled to stage games. The U.S. is set to host 78 of the 104 fixtures, including the final.
Although FIFA retains ultimate authority over host city selection, Trump suggested he could intervene, citing safety concerns. He emphasized his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his role as chair of the World Cup taskforce.
When asked specifically about matches scheduled in Democratic-run cities such as Seattle and San Francisco—each due to host six games—Trump did not rule out changes. He also mentioned Los Angeles, a Democratic stronghold that is slated to host eight games and the 2028 Olympic Games.
The President has made tackling crime a central part of his agenda. Last month, he deployed National Guard troops and federal officers into Washington, D.C., despite statistics showing crime levels had dropped since peaking in 2023. He has also announced plans to send troops to Memphis and Chicago and earlier this year ordered 2,000 Guardsmen into Los Angeles amid unrest tied to immigration raids.
The group-stage draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
📩 Reported by: Stone Reporters News
🌍 stonereportersnews.com | info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNews
Add comment
Comments