President Donald Trump suggested he could move World Cup matches away from host cities he deems unsafe, while speaking from the oval office on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Trump was asked by a reporter about the potential for moving World Cup games from Seattle and San Francisco – two of the 11 host cities in the United States.
“Well, that’s an interesting question … but we’re going to make sure they’re safe,” Trump said – adding Seattle and San Francisco are “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.”
World Cup venues were announced in February with Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia also slated to host matches next summer.
It’s unclear how feasible it would be for Trump or FIFA to relocate a host city just months prior to the tournament co-hosted by Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
However, Trump did mention Memphis and Chicago as possible options.
“As you probably know, we’re going into Memphis and we’re going into some other cities. Very soon we’re going into Chicago. It will be safe for the World Cup.”
Seattle’s Lumen Field – considered one of the best soccer venues in the country – will host at least one match featuring the U.S. men’s national team on June 19 and six matches in total.
Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., roughly 40 miles from San Francisco, will also host six matches.
‘If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city. So, if any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the (2028) Olympics … but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it.
“We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
The Dec. 5 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will set the schedule for all 48 clubs participating in the tournament.
Only the three host nations know where their matches will be played before the draw: The USMNT will also play twice in Los Angeles on June 12 and June 25.
Mexico will open the tournament in Mexico City on June 11, play in Guadalajara on June 18, and return to Mexico City on June 24.
Canada plays group stage matches in Toronto on June 12, and in Vancouver on June 18 and June 24.
The 2028 Olympics will be hosted in Los Angeles.