FIFA backs down after Trump threatens to move World Cup matches

FIFA backs down after Trump threatens to move World Cup matches

FIFA has reversed its stance on President Donald Trump’s ability to influence World Cup host cities, days after the US president once again threatened to strip games from Boston and other venues over security concerns.

The global football governing body had earlier dismissed Trump’s remarks, insisting that only FIFA holds the authority to alter match locations. But in a surprising turnaround, the organisation issued a statement on Tuesday deferring to the US government on safety matters.

“Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide,” the statement read. “Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility, and they decide what is in the best interest for public safety.”

The shift came after Trump declared he could easily call FIFA president Gianni Infantino to move matches if he deemed conditions unsafe. “If somebody is doing a bad job… I would call Gianni, who is phenomenal, and he would move it. Very easily, he’d do it,” Trump told reporters.

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Trump had previously suggested he might remove World Cup matches from Democrat-run cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, prompting FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani to publicly reject the idea last month, saying, “Football is bigger than any individual or any country.”

However, FIFA’s new tone underscores its increasingly close ties with Trump. The organisation recently opened an office in Trump Tower, and Infantino has been a frequent visitor to the White House, even allowing the original Club World Cup trophy to remain in the Oval Office.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across 16 cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada, with 11 of those located in America. While negotiations with host cities remain largely confidential, some agreements such as Seattle’s include clauses allowing FIFA to revoke hosting rights if local governments fail to meet enhanced security and transport requirements.

FIFA backs down after Trump threatens to move World Cup matches