Trump Raises Possibility of Stripping Host Cities
President Donald Trump again suggested he may push FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from certain US host cities, warning that high crime or lack of cooperation from local Democratic leaders could trigger changes.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump was asked what it would take for cities to lose their scheduled games.
“The governors are going to have to behave. The mayors are going to have to behave,” he said, singling out California over crime and disaster response.
Los Angeles in the Spotlight
Trump said he wants Los Angeles to succeed as a host city but warned he may deploy the National Guard if he anticipates trouble.
“If we think there’s going to be crime, if we are obstructed by the governor … I’d love for him to call and say, ‘We’d like to have some extra help,’” Trump said. “If there’s even a hint of a problem, we want to get in there before it occurs.”
The remarks echoed similar comments last month when Trump threatened to pull World Cup games from Boston over tensions with its Democratic mayor.
Vague Criteria, Big Implications
Pressed for clarity, Trump offered no concrete threshold for moving matches.
“If we think there’s going to be any sign of trouble, I would ask Gianni to move it to a different city,” he said, adding that many cities would gladly step in.
In an unusual moment, Trump even turned to Infantino mid-answer:
“Gianni, can I say we will move?”
Infantino avoided endorsing the idea, restating only that “safety and security is the No. 1 priority” and praising the US as a trusted host nation.
Massive Preparations Already Underway
Shifting games at this stage would be unprecedented. The 11 US host cities were selected in 2022 and have spent years preparing — upgrading infrastructure, planning security and organizing for millions of expected visitors.
Any sudden venue change could upend logistics for local governments, businesses and international fans.
A Political Flashpoint
Trump’s comments align with his broader strategy of deploying federal law enforcement — including the National Guard, ICE and CBP — into Democratic-run cities to address crime and immigration.
Critics say the operations are heavy-handed and, in some cases, have swept up US citizens. Community groups in multiple cities have pushed back, calling the interventions unwanted and unnecessary.
Trump said he’d prefer Democratic leaders simply invite federal help now:
“If they would tell us now, they’re not gonna have a problem. Because if we go in, they don’t have a problem.”
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