FIFA: U.S. govt to determine 2026 World Cup city safety

FIFA has acknowledged that the U.S. government has the final say in determining match safety. World Cup host cities.

The news comes after US President Donald Trump said FIFA President Gianni Infantino would “very easily” move 2026 World Cup matches from designated host cities if he asked him to do so.

Trump also signaled that he would seek to move 2028 Olympic Games away from Los Angeles if he feels the city is unsafe.

The US President has previously spoken about moving World Cup matches from cities he considered “dangerous”, having previously named Seattle and San Francisco.

“Safety and security are top priorities at all FIFA events around the world,” a FIFA spokesperson said. “Safety and security are obviously the responsibility of governments and they decide what is in the best interest of public safety.

“We hope that each of our 16 host cities will be prepared to successfully host and meet all necessary requirements.”

On Thursday, Trump said there had been “street takeovers” in Boston and said FIFA would reschedule next summer's finals if he asked.

“If someone is doing a bad job, and if I feel the conditions are unsafe, I will call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who is phenomenal, and say, 'Let's take this somewhere else,'” he told reporters in the United States on Tuesday.

“And he would do it. He wouldn’t like to do it, but he would do it very easily.”

“He would do it, and now is the right time to do it.

“I could say the same about the Olympics. If I thought Los Angeles wouldn't be prepared properly, I would move it to another location.

“If I had to do it, I would probably have to get a different permit, but we would do it.”

-Trump threatens to move World Cup matches from Boston due to unrest
-All 87 national teams that can win next summer.
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FIFA President Infantino has developed a close relationship with Trump and most recently attended the Middle East peace summit with him in Egypt earlier this week.

FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani said “such decisions are made by FIFA” when asked earlier this month about Trump's initial threat to postpone the matches.

Montagliani told Leaders Week in London: “With all due respect to the current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will outlive their regime, their government and their slogans.”

FIFA is understood to believe there are no problems with any of the 16 host cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.

An International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman said in response to Trump's comments: “The LA28 Olympic Games have the full support of the President United StatesGovernor of California and Mayor of Los Angeles.

“They are all extremely helpful in preparing for these Games. This is reflected at the operational level of the administration. With three years left, we are confident that LA28 will be a great Olympic Games.”