Washington: US President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy on Tuesday by claiming that FIFA President Gianni Infantino would back relocating 2026 World Cup matches from US host cities if the President deemed them unsafe. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that security considerations could prompt him to shift games, and that the FIFA chief would “very easily” approve such a move.
Trump specifically referenced Boston, one of the tournament’s host cities, saying, “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.”
The President’s remarks come a day after he met Infantino in Egypt at a summit on a Gaza ceasefire, where the FIFA chief joined more than two dozen world leaders discussing peace in the Middle East. Trump also extended his threat to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, asserting that events could be moved if he judged Los Angeles unprepared. “I could say the same thing for the Olympics,” Trump said. “If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location.”
Observers noted that Trump’s statements echo his ongoing political stance, particularly his earlier deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-run US cities under the pretext of countering crime and left-wing activism a move strongly opposed by local and state officials. Critics suggest that the remarks on World Cup and Olympic venues may be part of a broader effort to exert political influence over events scheduled in cities governed by political opponents.
Boston is slated to host seven matches during the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, while San Francisco and Seattle will each host six, and Los Angeles eight. The United States is co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with the bulk of matches played on US soil. Earlier this year, Trump appointed himself chairman of a White House task force overseeing preparations for the World Cup.
FIFA has previously maintained that venue decisions rest with the governing body itself, not individual national leaders. Trump’s claim that Infantino would automatically comply with his directive raises questions about the independence of international sporting organizations and the politicization of global events.
As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, concerns over security, political influence, and potential disruptions to high-profile sporting events are likely to intensify. Analysts say Trump’s public statements could complicate planning for host cities, sponsors, and international fans, underscoring the intersection of sports, politics, and governance in the modern era.