Trump Threatens to Move World Cup, Olympics Matches

President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he would consider relocating 2026 FIFA World Cup matches — and even 2028 Olympic events — away from U.S. host cities he deems “unsafe,” singling out Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area and tying the threat to his crime and immigration initiatives. He said federal forces, including National Guard deployments already used in some cities, would be used to make venues “safe,” and warned he would move games “if I think it isn’t safe.” Bay Area and Seattle host committees and local officials pushed back, saying they are coordinating with FIFA, law enforcement and the White House task force and are confident the matches will go on as scheduled. Legal and logistical experts note that FIFA, not the U.S. president, controls World Cup venues and that changing sites so close to the tournament would be complex; Trump's rapport with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and prior deference (for example, moving the tournament draw) could nonetheless affect leverage. Critics say the threats appear politically motivated against Democratic-run cities and that available crime data do not clearly support the safety claims; FIFA had not publicly committed to any venue changes at the time of reporting.