Keyword: Credit
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again made headlines, this time over comments about the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement from the Oval Office on September 23, Trump suggested that matches scheduled in certain American cities could be moved if he deems them “unsafe.” His remarks immediately drew criticism and confusion—mainly because Trump has no authority over FIFA’s event logistics.
Trump’s Comments on “Unsafe” Cities
Back in 2022, 11 U.S. cities were awarded hosting rights for the upcoming World Cup, which will be the first tournament shared by three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Trump singled out Seattle and San Francisco, two cities he referred to as “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.” Both are set to host six matches each. He claimed that if he determined any host city posed a security risk, the games could be shifted elsewhere.
“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, we won’t allow it,” Trump said. “We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
FIFA’s Authority vs. Trump’s Claim
While Trump spoke with certainty, fans and analysts quickly pointed out a glaring fact: FIFA controls all match locations, not the U.S. government.
Contracts signed between FIFA and the cities explicitly state that host agreements “shall not have the right for ordinary termination.” That means sudden changes—especially just months before the tournament draw—are virtually impossible.
One fan mocked Trump’s claim on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “He’s not allowed to move matches! Government interference is not allowed!” Another sarcastically added: “What, Trump’s going to move the World Cup to Oklahoma?”
Argentina won the last FIFA World Cup (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Preparing Cities Already Invested
Host cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, Kansas City, Houston, and Philadelphia are already spending hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade stadiums, build infrastructure, and prepare for an influx of international visitors.
With FIFA overseeing these preparations, Trump’s threat—while loud—has little practical impact. For example, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Inglewood dismissed the comments, saying:
“It’s so laughable, it’ll make you want to take a Tylenol. He has absolutely no power over that. The World Cup is not about Donald Trump.”
Her statement echoed the widespread belief that the warning was less about security and more about politics.
Why This Matters for Fans and Cities
The World Cup is more than just a sporting event—it’s an economic engine. Cities stand to gain billions in credit boosts, tourism dollars, loans for infrastructure, and long-term revenue streams. To jeopardize these opportunities with political theater could cause unnecessary uncertainty.
Trump’s remarks also raise broader questions: How do politics intersect with international sports? Should leaders leverage global events for domestic agendas? And what happens if a city feels unfairly targeted?
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Fans Left Scratching Their Heads
For soccer fans worldwide, Trump’s words created more confusion than concern. While some mocked the comments, others worried about how such statements could tarnish the image of the United States as a co-host.
After all, the World Cup is not just about sports—it’s also about international reputation, diplomacy, and trust. FIFA’s priority is safety, but it operates independently from U.S. politics, making Trump’s threats seem symbolic at best.
Trump threatened not to allow Seattle and San Francisco to host the 2026 World Cup (Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, the focus for fans remains on whether the U.S., Mexico, and Canada can deliver the largest, most successful tournament in FIFA history.
The matches will go on as planned, regardless of political noise. For cities like Seattle and San Francisco, preparations continue full speed ahead, knowing that FIFA’s commitment—and not Trump’s rhetoric—ultimately determines the games’ fate.
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At the end of the day, Trump’s comments may have generated headlines, but when it comes to FIFA, the credit for decision-making rests solely with the governing body of world football. For fans, the real story is still the excitement of seeing the world’s biggest sporting event come to North America.
