US President Donald Trump has suggested he could relocate matches for next summer’s 2026 men’s World Cup if cities do not “co-operate” with his administration.
Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, guaranteed that the tournament would be “very secure” but added that matches could be moved if he judged a city unsafe.
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The comments come amid ongoing US political turbulence and international scrutiny over potential sanctions against Israel, which Trump dismissed, saying the USA would block any attempt by UEFA or FIFA to exclude the nation.
According to The Athletic, when asked about cities failing to cooperate, Trump said:
We’re going to make sure they’re safe. They’re run by radical left lunatics… If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move into a different city, absolutely… We won’t allow it. We’ll move it around a little bit.
Trump does not have direct authority to move matches but maintains a personal relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Contracts with host cities give FIFA broad powers, though they generally prevent ordinary termination of agreements.