FIFA Vice President rebukes Trump over 2026 World Cup host City threats
FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting that host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be moved if safety concerns arise, stressing that only FIFA has the authority to make such decisions.
Trump suggests possible venue changes
The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament returns to North America since 1994.
Eleven American cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, are slated to host matches.
However, President Trump raised eyebrows last week when he said the U.S. government could intervene in determining safe venues.
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“It will be safe for the World Cup. If I think it isn’t safe [for the World Cup], we’ll move it to a different city. Absolutely… If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city,” Trump declared.
Montagliani Pushes Back
Speaking at a sports business conference in London on Wednesday, Montagliani, who also serves as Concacaf president, firmly contradicted Trump’s remarks.
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“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he stated.
He added, “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. That’s the beauty of our game, it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”
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The 11 U.S. host cities, along with three in Mexico and two in Canada, are bound by contractual agreements with FIFA. Any attempt to change venues this close to the tournament, which kicks off in less than a year, would trigger major logistical, legal, and financial complications.
