United States President Donald Trump threatened to remove games from the 2026 World Cup from cities governed by Democrats such as Seattle and San Francisco if he finds them insecure.
“If we believe that a city can be a little dangerous for the World Cup (…) as you play in so many headquarters, we will not allow it.
Trump gave a special emphasis to Seattle and San Francisco, cities that, in his opinion, “are governed by radical left lunatics who do not know what they are doing.” The president mentioned the possibility of taking similar measures for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
The Field Lumen in Seattle – NFL Seattle Seahawks stadium – is expected to host six World Cup games, while Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara – San Francisco 49ers, also NFL – in the San Francisco area, will host six.
The US, which organize the 2026 World Cup in conjunction with Mexico and Canada, have 11 host cities, mostly governed by Democrats, such as Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Boston and Philadelphia.
The World Cup draw will be held next December 5 in the city of Washington, with Trump’s likely presence.
In theory, Trump has no power to modify a headquarters or the place of a World Championship game, but maintains a very close relationship with who actually has it: FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
