FIFA VP Rejects Trump‘s Threat to Relocate 2026 World Cup Matches
Zurich, Switzerland – A top FIFA official publicly distanced the organization from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that 2026 World Cup games could be moved from U.S. cities deemed “not safe.” Speaking in an on-stage interview wednesday, FIFA Vice President Victor montagliani emphasized the global nature of the tournament, stating, ”That’s the beauty of our game, is that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”
Montagliani‘s comments followed Trump’s remarks last week, made in response to questions about World Cup cities opposing his immigration and crime crackdowns. Trump had asserted,”If I think it’s not safe,we’re going to move it out,” and warned that any city “going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup,” or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,woudl risk losing its hosting privileges.
The 2026 World Cup,expanded to 48 teams,relies heavily on commitments from host nation governments – including the U.S. – for security, visa processing, and law enforcement, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Previous men’s World Cup hosts include qatar (2022), Russia (2018), Brazil (2014), and South Africa (2010).
Trump has cultivated a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who frequently visits the White House. However, Infantino has not publicly addressed the possibility of relocating matches.
In a separate matter, Montagliani clarified that any decision regarding the potential suspension of Israel from international competitions rests with UEFA, the European governing body, not FIFA. He stated that thursday’s FIFA Council meeting in Zurich would not address Israel’s participation in World Cup qualifying,adding,”Israel is a member of UEFA… It’s a UEFA decision.” The 37-member FIFA Council includes eight representatives from UEFA.
The U.S. State Department last week indicated its opposition to any efforts to ban Israel’s team from the world Cup. Eight UN experts, including special rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese, had previously called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel’s national team, citing the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
