FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he could move World Cup 2026 matches away from certain cities. With safety concerns raised by Trump, FIFA insists that host city decisions remain under its authority, not the White House.
FIFA have firmly rebuffed suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump that he could influence the host cities for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The governing body made it clear that the tournament’s match locations are under FIFA’s jurisdiction, not political leaders, as preparations continue for the first 48-team World Cup.
Speaking at Leaders Week London, FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani reminded global audiences that the tournament belongs to FIFA and not any national government.
It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.
Trump’s Safety Concerns Clash With FIFA’s Plans
Trump had suggested in a recent Oval Office press conference that games could be moved if he deemed certain host cities unsafe. He specifically mentioned San Francisco and Seattle, two cities confirmed to stage matches in 2026, while also pointing to Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles as potential concerns.
“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, we won’t allow it to go. We’ll move it around a little bit,” Trump warned.
The comments follow his administration’s deployment of the National Guard to several U.S. cities in response to protests and crime concerns, most notably in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Where the Matches Will Be Played
The U.S. will stage the majority of the tournament, hosting 78 of the 104 fixtures, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Eleven American cities are confirmed as hosts:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- Seattle
Seattle and San Francisco will each stage six matches, while Los Angeles is set to host eight games. Canada and Mexico will share the remaining fixtures across their designated venues.
FIFA and Trump: A Growing Tension
Trump’s comments mark the latest in a series of interventions ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Earlier this year, he suggested political tensions with Canada and Mexico could “strengthen” the tournament. He also floated the controversial idea of allowing Russia to compete despite its ban by FIFA and UEFA.
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino has maintained a cordial relationship with Trump, Montagliani’s public rebuke signals the first signs of friction between football’s governing body and the U.S. administration. Whether this tension escalates into legal or diplomatic conflict remains to be seen.
