Trump Warns Ahead of 2026 World Cup: We May Move the Matches to Another City If Necessary

As preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue, security concerns have entered the national spotlight. U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that certain matches could be relocated to different American cities if potential safety issues in Los Angeles and California are not addressed. Speaking at a press briefing in the Oval Office alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and several U.S. officials, Trump underlined the necessity for local administrations to take adequate security measures.

Security Emphasis and Possible City Replacement

Responding to a question about the possible impact of moving World Cup matches due to security reasons, Trump said, “If we see any signs that a problem may occur, we will ask for the event to be moved to another city. There are many cities that would love to host the event.” He emphasized that Los Angeles is still expected to host the scheduled matches, but reiterated that security is the top priority.

Message of Federal Support

Highlighting the possibility of federal involvement if required, Trump said, “I would like to send the National Guard or anyone necessary to help them. If there is even the slightest sign of a problem, we want to be there before the problem occurs. We want to make the environment fully safe for Infantino, FIFA and all the great people who will be there.”

“There Is a Problem in California”

Continuing his remarks, Trump pointed to the overall security environment in the state, saying, “California has a problem, crime rates are high.” He also reminded that some regions recently suffered major wildfires, noting that both governors and mayors would “have to act accordingly” in response to these concerns.

A “Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity”

While highlighting the significance of the tournament, Trump referred to the World Cup as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for the United States. Having previously hosted the event in 1994, the country will once again welcome the world’s biggest football competition after 32 years, this time together with Canada and Mexico.