US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that FIFA president Gianni Infantino would back relocating 2026 World Cup matches from US cities for security reasons if deemed necessary.
Context
- In September, Trump raised the possibility of moving games amid his crackdown on Democratic-run cities, though FIFA previously noted that the decision on match locations rests with football’s governing body.
- Trump’s comments came one day after meeting Infantino in Egypt during a summit on a Gaza ceasefire, where the FIFA chief joined over two dozen world leaders discussing Middle East peace.
Key Statements
- On moving games: “If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there’s 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. Very easily he would do it.”
- On the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: “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.”
Security and Political Background
- Trump’s administration has deployed National Guard troops to Democratic-led US cities this year, citing the need to counter crime and left-wing activism, despite objections from local and state officials.
- Boston, a 2026 World Cup host city, is scheduled to host seven games. Other US cities include:
- San Francisco – six matches
- Seattle – six matches
- Los Angeles – eight matches
- The United States is co-hosting the expanded 48-team tournament with Mexico and Canada, holding the majority of the matches.
- Earlier this year, Trump appointed himself chairman of a White House task force for the World Cup.
Trump’s remarks highlight the intersection of sports, politics, and security, raising questions about the governance of international events in the United States ahead of next year’s tournament.
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