Donald Trump makes ‘dangerous’ World Cup vow as US president challenges FIFA again

US President Donald Trump has promised to move matches at the 2026 World Cup from any cities he deems as unsafe to host fixtures, but his authority to make such decisions has been called into question

United States President Donald Trump has promised to move matches at the 2026 World Cup from any cities he thinks are unsafe.

Eleven US cities are scheduled to host games at next summer’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. The US will host 78 of the 104 fixtures, including the final.

Organisers FIFA are in charge of selecting host cities, and possible changes would prove a logistical nightmare. Late changes would also be a major headache for managers like England boss Thomas Tuchel, in terms of match preparation.

It remains unclear whether Trump has the authority to make such changes.

But he has established a close working relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and is also chairman of the World Cup taskforce.

Trump said: “It will be safe for the World Cup. But if I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it into a different city.”

The 11 host cities in the US are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.

Los Angeles will also host the 2028 Olympic Games and Trump added: “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.”

The draw for the World Cup group stages will take place in Washington on December 5. While the tournament itself will run from June 11 to July 19.

Trump will also try to stop FIFA banning Israel from competiting at next year’s World Cup if they qualify. Calls for sanctions have been made against the country after a UN commission of inquiry said earlier this month it has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

UEFA are set to make a decision next week on whether to suspend Israel, with most members of its executive committee said to be in favour of a ban.

A US State Department spokesperson told BBC Sport: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.”

Israel’s next match is against Norway on 11 October in a World Cup qualifier. Earlier this month, Norwegian football federation president Lise Klaveness said the organisation “has to deal with Israel participating in their competitions.”