United States President Donald Trump has suggested that some matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be relocated to different host cities if safety concerns arise, MySportDab Reports.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump initially assured that the tournament would be “very secure,” but went on to raise doubts about host cities whose local governments have clashed with his administration over immigration and other policies.
“They’re run by radical left lunatics that don’t know what they’re doing,” Trump said when asked about Seattle and San Diego—two of the 11 U.S. cities set to stage games. “It will be safe for the World Cup. If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it to a different city. Absolutely… if I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city.”
The expanded 48-team World Cup will be played across 16 cities: 11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada. While Chicago, Memphis, and Washington, D.C. were not selected as host cities, Trump referred to them while discussing the National Guard’s deployment in response to unrest earlier this year.
“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the [2028] Olympics, we won’t allow it. We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen,” he added.
FIFA has yet to respond to Trump’s comments, and it remains unclear what process would be used to determine whether matches should be shifted. The situation may become clearer after the World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, other host cities have already expressed willingness to step in if required. Vancouver, which will stage seven matches including a Round of 16 fixture, has formally written to FIFA offering to take on additional games. “We can move quickly. We have an amazing team and we are ready to host,” said the Premier of British Columbia.
With anticipation building ahead of the first-ever 48-team World Cup, Trump’s remarks have added an unexpected layer of uncertainty to preparations.
