FIFA makes those decisions: Donald Trump's 2026 World Cup city change idea rejected

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :October 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM

Modified at :October 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM

FIFA will decide on changing the location of the World Cup matches.

Victor Montagliani, the vice president of FIFA, has stated that Donald Trump will not make the final choice on whether to relocate 2026 World Cup matches from their host cities.

The president of the United States, Trump, made comments last week regarding the potential relocation of games from “dangerous” cities.

FIFA vice-president comments on relocation of 2026 World Cup matches

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump join FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other guests while watching the final match of the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is the first time in the history of the FIFA CWC that the United States has hosted the competition, one year before the U.S., Mexico and Canada are scheduled to host the World Cup in 2026. (Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Trump, whose nation is co-hosting the competition with Canada and Mexico, has a tight relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. But Montagliani maintained that FIFA still has the final say over all host city selections.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he said at Leaders Week London at the Allianz Stadium.

Last week, President Trump declared that his government would ensure that cities are “safe,” claiming that San Francisco and Seattle were “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.”

“If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup… because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it,” Trump added.

“We’ll move it around a little bit.”

Next summer’s finals will feature six games at Seattle’s Lumen Field and an additional six at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which is an hour distant from San Francisco.

“With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime, their government, and their slogans,” Montagliani said, adding that the sport was “bigger” than the divisive political language currently prevalent in the US.

Enzo Fernandez Chelsea Premier League — EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Enzo Fernandez #8 of Chelsea FC lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after their team’s victory following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The World Cup next year may feature some late evening games for viewers in Europe, since Montagliani has insisted that games be scheduled to account for the extreme summer heat in the US.

FIFA has “learnt” from players’ and fans’ experiences at this summer’s Club World Cup, according to Montagliani.

Why could there be a need to change the location of the 2026 World Cup matches?

Due to potential unrest in the USA, President Trump commented on the possibility of changing the location of the 2026 World Cup matches.

Is USA the only country to host the World Cup?

No, Mexico and Canada will also host the competition.

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The competition will start from 11 June 2026 and end on 19th July 2026.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.