Donald Trump has doubled down on his threat to remove 2026 World Cup matches from what he deems “unsafe” American cities — claiming FIFA president Gianni Infantino would comply “very easily” if the request was made.
The US president first raised the idea last month, targeting San Francisco and Seattle, and has now added Boston to his growing list of Democrat-run areas he says are failing to meet security standards.
“If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who’s phenomenal, and I would say, ‘Let’s move it to another location,’” Trump told reporters at the White House, per The Sun. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it very easily. He’d do it and this is the right time to do it.”
The president added that the same principle could apply to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, suggesting that if he believed LA wasn’t being properly prepared, he would seek to move those events too.
“If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location,” Trump added. “If I had to move on that one, I’d probably have to get a different kind of permission, but we would do that.”
FIFA Responds
In a statement to Sky News, FIFA stopped short of confirming that any host cities could be stripped of matches but acknowledged that the US government does have the authority to determine whether locations are safe to host the tournament.
“Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility, and they decide what is in the best interest for public safety. We hope every one of our 16 Host Cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfill all necessary requirements.”
The expanded 48-team World Cup will see the United States stage 78 of the 104 matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Canada and Mexico will share the remaining fixtures.
While Boston itself isn’t slated to host matches, Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough, Massachusetts — home of the New England Patriots — is set to stage seven games. Trump’s comments have thrown uncertainty over whether that venue could be affected.
Trump’s Warning To “Democrat-Run” Cities
The president’s renewed warning came as he intensified his criticism of cities governed by Democrats, including Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle, which he described as plagued by rising crime and “radical left” leadership.
Speaking alongside Argentine president Javier Milei earlier this week, Trump said: “The radical left is taking over Boston.”
His administration has already deployed National Guard troops to Washington, Los Angeles, and Memphis, claiming it is part of a nationwide effort to “clean up crime” in major metropolitan areas.
FIFA Treads Carefully Amid Trump Alliance
FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani previously attempted to play down talk of any forced changes to venues, warning that such a move could trigger massive compensation claims from affected cities.
“FIFA makes those decisions,” he said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them, and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.”
Despite that, the relationship between Trump and Infantino remains notably close.
Infantino was among those who joined the president in Egypt earlier this week for the signing of the Israel–Gaza peace accord, and FIFA insiders have described the pair as maintaining a “critical alliance.”
In 2018, Infantino and Trump appeared together in Washington when the US was awarded the 2026 World Cup, and they have since been seen at international summits and sporting events around the world.
Vegas Draw Moved After Trump Intervention
Tensions between FIFA and the White House have already been tested once this year, when the World Cup finals draw, originally planned for Las Vegas on December 5, was suddenly moved to Washington DC after a reported demand from Trump.
While FIFA officials in Zurich have avoided publicly criticising the president’s latest statements, insiders suggest that Infantino is reluctant to challenge the US administration directly — particularly with the tournament now less than a year away.
A FIFA spokesperson reiterated that the organisation remains “focused on safety, preparation, and cooperation with all host cities” but made no mention of contingency plans or alternative venues.
With eleven US cities preparing to host World Cup fixtures — including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Atlanta — any relocation order would cause major logistical upheaval and potential financial fallout worth millions in damages and refunds.
For now, FIFA insists the tournament’s plans remain unchanged. But as Trump continues to question the safety and governance of several key host cities, the next few months could prove pivotal in determining whether football’s biggest event stays exactly where it’s scheduled — or becomes a political battleground on American soil.
Featured image credit: Instagram/fifaworldcup/X/WhiteHouse
