U.S. President Donald Trump was reminded on Wednesday that the final decision on which cities will host the 2026 World Cup games lies with FIFA, not any government authority.
Last week, Trump had hinted at the possibility of deeming certain cities “unsafe” for the 104-game soccer tournament next summer, suggesting a potential alteration to the hosting plan approved by FIFA in 2022. This plan includes utilizing NFL stadiums in proximity to major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The 11 U.S. host cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), have contractual agreements with FIFA. Any attempts to make changes within the eight months leading up to the tournament’s kickoff on June 11 would pose significant logistical and legal challenges for FIFA.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA’s vice president based in Vancouver, emphasized at a sports business conference in London that FIFA holds the authority to make hosting decisions. He stressed that football transcends political debates and individual leaders, highlighting the game’s resilience and global significance.
Trump’s recent statements regarding potential safety concerns were prompted by cities opposing his immigration and crime policies. He asserted that if he deems any city unsafe, the tournament venue could be relocated, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Hosting major events like the World Cup and the Olympics involves substantial financial commitments from host nations for security, visa processing, and law enforcement. Notably, the previous hosts of the men’s World Cup were Qatar, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa.
Trump’s relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a frequent visitor to the White House, remains close. Infantino has not publicly addressed the issue of cities being deemed too risky to host matches in the 48-team tournament running until July 19.
