Soccer’s governing body stresses safety is a “top priority” after the former president suggested games could be relocated from certain U.S. cities.
Following remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting World Cup matches could be moved for security reasons, FIFA has stated it hopes all 16 host cities will be prepared to stage games for the 2026 tournament.
In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson expressed confidence in the planned locations, saying, “We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements.” The spokesperson emphasized that “safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide.”
However, the governing body also clarified that ultimate responsibility for public safety lies with government authorities, who “decide what is in the best interest for public safety.”
The comments come after Trump, speaking to reporters earlier in the week, claimed he could easily have games relocated if he felt a city was unsafe. He specifically mentioned Boston as a potential candidate for such a move.
“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,” Trump stated, adding, “Very easily he would do it.”
He further suggested that events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could also be subject to relocation if necessary.
The former president’s administration had a history of deploying federal forces to several Democrat-led cities, a move often contested by local leaders but justified by the White House at the time as a necessary response to crime.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is the first to feature 48 teams, with the majority of games scheduled for U.S. soil. Key American host cities include Los Angeles, set to host eight matches, and Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle, which are scheduled for seven and six games respectively.
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