Trump threatens to move 2026 World Cup matches

US President Donald Trump said that matches scheduled in US cities that cannot guarantee safety could be relocated, Reuters reports.

The final tournament of the World Cup will be held between June 11 and July 19, 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Currently, Seattle and San Francisco are among the US cities designated to host matches, their administrations being violently criticized by the US president. Six matches are scheduled at the Lumen Field stadium in Seattle, and another six are scheduled to be held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, located near San Francisco.

• "We will not allow security risks"

Asked by reporters about the situation in Seattle and San Francisco, Trump criticized local governments, describing them as "run by radical left-wing lunatics."

"If we think it's not safe, we'll move the games out of that city. We're not going to let an event like the World Cup be put in jeopardy,” Trump said. He suggested a similar decision could be made for the 2028 Olympics, which will be hosted by Los Angeles.

• Relationship with FIFA and the political context

While FIFA is responsible for setting and changing venues, Trump maintains a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which could influence the decision-making process. Trump has stressed that his security policies have had visible results. Last month, he sent the National Guard to Washington, D.C., saying the move has led to "eliminating crime” in the capital. The draw for the 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, is scheduled for December 5 in Washington.