FIFA reacted to President Donald Trump’s remarks, in which he doubted the safety of several host cities, including Boston and Chicago, by confirming that the U.S. government can move the 2026 World Cup games.
The world governing body in charge of the tournament responded to the queries of different media by saying: “Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide. They are the responsibility of the authorities and it is up to them to decide what is best for the safety of the public.” This clarification seems to support Trump’s statements, though it is in a way contradictory to the words of FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, who had earlier said that FIFA has “jurisdiction” over match locations.
During a meeting with Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Trump reignited the debate by implying that games could be moved “very easily” if safety is an issue. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was quick to respond that World Cup contracts do not allow for such decisions to be made unilaterally.
The 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—will have 104 games in total, out of which 78 will be played in the U.S. However, due to the escalating political tension and FIFA’s unclear position, people are wondering if the biggest football event could really be reshuffled by the White House?
