By Boluwatife Kehinde
As preparations ramp up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, questions are being raised about the stability of the host city lineup following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The President has floated the possibility of relocating matches over what he describes as security concerns in several Democratic-run cities.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump suggested that if conditions in certain U.S. cities were deemed unsafe, he would intervene directly.
“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. And he would do that—very easily,” Trump said during a press briefing.
READ ALSO: White house blasts Nobel committee after peace prize snub for Trump
FIFA, in response, issued a carefully worded statement on Wednesday. “We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements,” a spokesperson said.
“Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide.”
While FIFA reaffirmed its commitment to safety, it also made clear that decisions around public security ultimately rest with local and national governments. “Safety and security are obviously the government’s responsibility, and they decide what is in the best interest of public safety,” the spokesperson added.
Boston, which is set to host seven matches during the expanded 48-team tournament, was singled out by Trump in his comments.
Other Democratic-led cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles — each scheduled to host between six and eight games — could also face scrutiny.
Trump, who earlier this year appointed himself as chairman of a White House World Cup task force, has taken a tough-on-crime stance in recent months.
His administration has controversially deployed National Guard troops to several cities, often without local consent, citing rising crime rates and political unrest.
READ ALSO: Can Donald Trump win Nobel Peace Prize?
The World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will see the U.S. host the majority of matches across 11 of the 16 total host cities.
Trump’s remarks have introduced a new layer of uncertainty, with the global football community now watching closely to see if politics and sports will collide on the road to 2026.
