Donald Trump has suggested moving the 2026 World Cup out of US cities that could be deemed unsafe, but there’s a catch.
In 2022, 11 US cities were awarded the right to host the men’s FIFA World Cup next year, but just two months before the tournament draw is set to take place, President Trump has made a threat against cities he calls 'too dangerous'.
The POTUS spoke on September 23 in the Oval Office about the cities that may have to be reconsidered for hosting the games, because they are ‘a little bit dangerous’.
Namely, Democratic ones.
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Seattle and San Francisco are two of the cities that were awarded the right to host, but of course, they do not support the president’s immigration policies.
Trump had first guaranteed that the World Cup would be ‘very secure,’ but then went on to say he would even strip host cities of matches at the first fight of being unsafe.
When a reporter mentioned Seattle and San Francisco - cities that are to host six games each - and asked Trump what he would do if those cities ‘did not cooperate’ with him, he said: “Well, that’s an interesting question, but we’re going to make sure they’re safe. They’re run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.”
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Other cities that are to host games include Inglewood, Atlanta, Boston, Arlington (Texas), Houston, Kansas City, Miami, East Rutherford, and Philadelphia.
The 2026 World Cup will also be shared by three countries for the very first time, with games also taking place in Mexico and Canada.
Trump said of his stance on safety next year: “If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the [2028] Olympics … but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it.
“We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
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However, social media fans have been left scratching their heads at his comments.
Mostly, because Trump doesn't even have the authority to relocate World Cup matches, as those are overseen by FIFA. Also, because a lot of other cities that have increased crime were not mentioned in his comments.
One person wrote on X: “Aren’t the crimes happening in Utah and Texas?” as another said: “He means Blue cities. What, Trump’s going to move the World Cup to Oklahoma?”
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Someone else commented: “He’s not allowed to move matches! Government interference is not allowed!”
According to The Athletic, FIFA’s contracts with host cities reveal it ‘shall not have the right for ordinary termination’ of the agreements.
In preparation, the cities are likely to spend a fortune on the area to prepare for the event- and with time running out, making a big change like this could be tricky.
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But for many, it seems unlikely it’ll happen, as Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove for Inglewood said, per the LA Times: “It’s so laughable, it’ll make you want to take a Tylenol.”
“No one is taking this seriously,” she added. “He has absolutely no power over that. The World Cup is not about Donald Trump. It’s also not about the United States. So another distraction and another example of ego and ignorance.”
She said: “My hope is that this president would be focusing on making sure that the U.S. host cities have the infrastructure that they need.”
UNILAD has reached out to FIFA for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Sport
Britt Jones