Trump threatens to move World Cup games from US cities
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has said he will consider moving 2026 World Cup games from US cities he regards as a security risk.Speaking in the Oval Office, he added on Sept 25 that while he expects the tournament to be “safe”, he is ready to strip games from host cities that are regarded as “even a little bit dangerous”.The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, but will be hosting the bulk of the games. The tournament has been expanded to 48 teams.US host cities include staunchly Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.“It will be safe for the World Cup,” Mr Trump told reporters. “If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city.”His administration hasdeployed National Guard troopsto Democratic-run US cities over the objections of local and state leaders.San Francisco and Seattle are hosting six matches each at the tournament. Los Angeles is hosting eight.“It’s actually a very fair question,” Mr Trump said. “If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city,” he added, before reeling off crime statistics in Chicago, which is not among the US World Cup host cities.Mr Trump also appeared to reference the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during his remarks.“So no, if any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the Olympics… but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it to go, we’ll move it around a little bit,” he added.Mr Trump earlier in 2025 appointed himself as chairman of a White House task force for the World Cup, which is run by world football’s governing body Fifa.Mr Trump, who has a close relationship with Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has promised that fans visiting the US can expect a “seamless” experience.Mr Infantino has said Fifa has “full and entire” confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament. AFP
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