President Donald Trump has suggested that some 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled to be played in American cities could be relocated if security concerns arise.
Talking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump stated that even though he saw the tournament as a “safe” one, he would not hesitate to take away the games from host cities which he considered “even a little bit dangerous.”
The largest part of the 48-team World Cup, which will be held in the United States, but is co-hosted with Mexico and Canada, is where the United States will stage the majority of matches. Among the 11 American host cities are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, the three cities that Trump has often mentioned negatively in terms of crime and governance.
Los Angeles is scheduled to hold eight games while San Francisco and Seattle will have six games each. “If I think that it is not safe, then we will move it to another city,” Trump declared, while referring to crime statistics and promising a “seamless” event to the spectators.
Earlier this year, Trump who also acted as if he was in charge of a White House World Cup task force appointed himself its chairman, and he also made a reference to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino among others has said that he has “full and entire” trust in the U.S. to bring about a trouble-free tournament.
