U.S. President Donald Trump received a reminder on Wednesday that FIFA, and not any governmental body, holds the authority to determine the host cities for the 2026 World Cup matches. Last week, Trump hinted at the possibility of deeming certain cities “unsafe” for the upcoming 104-game soccer tournament and modifying the established hosting plan confirmed by FIFA in 2022. This plan includes utilizing NFL stadiums in proximity to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The designated 11 U.S. host cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), have contractual agreements with FIFA. Making alterations within the eight months leading up to the June 11 kickoff would present substantial logistical and legal challenges for FIFA. Victor Montagliani, FIFA’s vice president based in Vancouver, emphasized that FIFA holds the authority to make such decisions during a sports business conference in London.
The president of the North American regional soccer body CONCACAF, a Canadian official, highlighted that the sport transcends any ongoing political discussions. Montagliani expressed that football surpasses individual leaders and governmental regimes, showcasing the resilience of the sport beyond political boundaries.
Trump’s recent remarks were prompted by concerns regarding World Cup host cities that oppose his immigration and crime policies. In response to a question in the Oval Office, the U.S. president stated, “If I believe it’s unsafe, we will relocate it.”
Both the World Cup and Olympic Games rely on financial commitments from host nation governments for security, visa processing, and law enforcement amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. The last four hosts of the men’s World Cup were Qatar, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa.
Trump maintains a close rapport with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who frequently visits the White House. Infantino has not publicly addressed the issue of cities being deemed too perilous to host games at the 48-team tournament concluding on July 19.