FIFA found itself at the center of a political storm this week after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly threatened to move 2026 World Cup matches out of American cities he labeled as unsafe. But the soccer world’s governing body responded with a firm reminder: only FIFA has the authority to determine where the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament will be played, not any national government, not even the United States.
The controversy erupted in late September 2025, when President Trump asserted that he could potentially move World Cup games out of cities he deemed dangerous, specifically singling out Seattle and San Francisco. "They’re run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing," Trump said last week, sparking a wave of concern and speculation among fans and city officials alike. The president’s comments came as he faces ongoing disputes with leadership in several of the 11 American cities set to host World Cup matches next summer. The 2026 tournament will also be staged in three Mexican cities and two in Canada, marking the first time the event will be hosted across three nations.
Despite Trump’s close working relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the soccer organization’s leadership swiftly dismissed the idea that the U.S. president could unilaterally alter the tournament’s venue plans. Speaking at the Leaders Week London event on October 1, 2025, FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani made it clear where the power lies. "It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions," Montagliani said. "If I have to react every time a politician makes a statement, whether it's a president, a senator, a congressman or even in my country and Mexico, then I wouldn't be doing my job. We're focused on the 16 venues and making sure they're ready to go."
Montagliani, who at 60 years old has seen his fair share of football politics, was unequivocal in his stance. "He is the president, fair enough, and words are a little heavier when it's a president, but from an operational perspective it wasn't really taken into consideration," he said, brushing aside Trump’s threats. The Canadian soccer executive has had to navigate diplomatic waters frequently since the start of Trump’s second administration, but he remains steadfast in his focus: delivering a successful World Cup.
Logistically and legally, moving World Cup matches less than nine months before kickoff—scheduled for June 11, 2026—would be a Herculean task. The 11 U.S. host cities, along with their counterparts in Mexico and Canada, are locked into contracts with FIFA. Any attempt to change venues now would involve significant legal hurdles and logistical nightmares. As Montagliani put it at a sports business conference in London, "It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions."
Trump’s remarks were made in response to questions about cities that oppose his administration’s immigration and crime crackdowns. "If I think it's not safe, we're going to move it out," Trump declared from the Oval Office. He even extended his warning to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding, "Any city that is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, we’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen."
While the World Cup and Olympic Games do rely on host governments for massive commitments—ranging from security and visa processing to law enforcement—ultimate control over where matches are played lies with FIFA. The organization’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that football is bigger than any political squabble. Montagliani’s words echoed this sentiment: "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."
Montagliani also addressed other hot-button issues during his London appearance. On the topic of Israel’s participation in international football amid the ongoing war in Gaza, he stated that any decision to suspend Israel from competition lies with UEFA, not FIFA. "First of all, Israel is a member of UEFA, and it's no different than if I had to deal with a member of my own region. It's a UEFA decision. Israel is their member, and they have to deal with it. I respect not only the process, but also their decision," he explained. This clarity comes after eight UN experts, including the special rapporteur for Palestine, called for Israel’s suspension from international competitions. The U.S. State Department has responded by pledging to oppose any efforts to ban Israel’s team from the World Cup.
Questions about the participation of Iran’s national team in the U.S. also surfaced, given the country’s travel restrictions. Montagliani was quick to reassure the public that qualified teams would be allowed to participate: "We already have assurances from all three governments ... that teams that qualify will be allowed to come in and participate." He added that the draw in December 2025, not geopolitics, would determine where Iran plays its matches.
With 104 games scheduled for the expanded 2026 tournament, Montagliani acknowledged that not all European broadcasters will be pleased with the match timings. "There may be some disappointment," he admitted, explaining that the sheer volume of games will push many involving European teams into evening slots, resulting in early morning kick-offs for fans in Europe. It’s a compromise that comes with hosting the world’s largest sporting event across three time zones and multiple nations.
Montagliani also weighed in on the future of FIFA competitions, expressing support for a larger Club World Cup but voicing opposition to a 64-team World Cup for the centennial anniversary in 2030. "I don’t see the argument for 64 teams," he said, noting that both UEFA and Asian football authorities share his view. "But the Club World Cup was a massive success. We need to work out what’s feasible, [what] changes we need to make about the number of teams and the caps on each country we had for this year."
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, FIFA’s message is unmistakable: the tournament’s fate is in the hands of football’s governing body, not politicians. The organization remains focused on delivering a safe, inclusive, and unforgettable spectacle for fans around the globe, regardless of the political noise swirling outside the pitch. With venue preparations ramping up and ticket sales on the horizon, the world’s attention is turning to the beautiful game—and FIFA is determined to keep it that way.
