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FIFA hopes 2026 World Cup cities will be ‘ready’ after Trump comments
PARIS: FIFA said on Wednesday it hoped all 16 host cities would be “ready” to stage matches at the 2026 World Cup finals after US President Donald Trump suggested some games could be relocated for security reasons.
“We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements,” a FIFA spokesperson said, emphasizing that “safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide.”
The spokesperson added that “safety and security are ultimately the responsibility of governments, who decide what is in the best interest of public safety.”
Trump said Tuesday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino would support moving World Cup games from certain US cities if required. In September, he raised the possibility of relocating matches as part of his crackdown on Democratic-run cities.
“If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who’s phenomenal, and I would say, ‘Let’s move it to another location.’ And he would do that — very easily,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if games could be moved from Boston, one of the host cities.
The US president also suggested that, if necessary, events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be shifted elsewhere.
Trump’s administration has deployed National Guard troops to several Democratic-run US cities this year, citing the need to counter crime and left-wing activism — moves that drew objections from local and state leaders.
Boston is scheduled to host seven matches at next year’s World Cup, while San Francisco and Seattle will each stage six, and Los Angeles will host eight.
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the majority of games set to be played in US cities. Eleven of the 16 host venues are located in the United States for the June 11 to July 19 tournament.
Earlier this year, Trump appointed himself chairman of a White House task force for the World Cup.
Cape Verde secure historic qualification
Cape Verde have finally booked their place to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026, following an unexpected 3-0 victory over Eswatini on Monday.
The triumph placed Cape Verde at the top of their African qualifying group for the mega FIFA event.
The island nation, with a total population of around 550,000, became the second smallest country by population ever to qualify for the World Cup.
FIFA Infantino also congratulated them team, saying “What a historic moment! Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Your flag will fly, and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever,” Infantino said.
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