The former president singled out Seattle and San Francisco, suggesting he would override FIFA’s plans if he deems host cities too dangerous.
In a bold statement that could set up a clash with world football’s governing body, former President Donald Trump has declared he would consider moving 2026 World Cup matches away from American host cities he believes are unsafe.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump was directly asked about games scheduled for Seattle and San Francisco. He responded by criticizing the leadership of those cities, whom he described as “radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing,” and vowed to ensure safety for the global tournament.
“We’re going to make sure they’re safe,” Trump stated. “If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move into a different city, absolutely.”
The comments directly challenge the authority of FIFA, which is solely responsible for selecting host venues and organizing the tournament. However, Trump pointed to his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a factor that could influence decisions. He cited his recent deployments of the National Guard to cities like Washington D.C. and Memphis as examples of his approach to tackling crime.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams. Six matches are currently scheduled for both Seattle’s Lumen Field and Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Trump extended his warning beyond the World Cup, also mentioning the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He concluded, “If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous… we won’t allow it. We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
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