President Trump suggested to reporters Thursday that he would move matches for next summer\u2019s 2026 men\u2019s World Cup away from U.S. host cities that are \u201ceven a little bit dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump first guaranteed that the World Cup would be \u201cvery secure,\u201d but then suggested that he would intervene and strip host cities of matches. A reporter mentioned Seattle and San Francisco, which will host six games each, as cities that have pushed back against the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies.<\/p>\n
The reporter asked Trump what he would do if those cities \u201cdid not cooperate\u201d with the administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s an interesting question,\u201d said Trump, \u201cbut we\u2019re going to make sure they\u2019re safe. They\u2019re run by radical left lunatics who don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seattle\u2019s Lumen Field will host four group-stage games, including the U.S. team\u2019s second group match on June 19. Lumen Field will also host a round of 32 game and one round of 16 match. Levi\u2019s Stadium, which is actually in Santa Clara, roughly 40 miles south of San Francisco, will host five group-stage matches and one match from the round of 32.<\/p>\n
Since FIFA determined the World Cup schedule in February, each of the 11 U.S. host cities has been preparing for the myriad of requirements that a World Cup commands. Along with Seattle and San Francisco, the other host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, New York\/New Jersey and Philadelphia. Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey will host matches in Mexico. Vancouver and Toronto will host matches in Canada.<\/p>\n
It is unclear how feasible it would be to change sites for World Cup games at this point in the process, as the event begins next June.<\/p>\n
Trump does not have explicit authority to move World Cup games out of any city. He does, though, have a direct line to the FIFA president, his \u201cgreat friend<\/a>\u201d Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n FIFA\u2019s contracts with host cities, some of which have been obtained via public records requests, stipulate that FIFA \u201cshall not have the right for ordinary termination\u201d of the contract; but generally grant FIFA sweeping power and protection against any legal claims if it were to terminate or violate the agreements.<\/p>\n