FIFA Says Security Decisions Belong to Governments After Trump Threatens to Seek Venue Changes

Overview

• President Donald Trump said he would ask FIFA president Gianni Infantino to move 2026 World Cup matches from U.S. cities he deems unsafe, citing Boston, and he raised the possibility for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• In an Oct. 15 statement, FIFA said public security is a government responsibility and stated it expects each of the 16 host cities to be prepared to host.
• FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has previously asserted that venue selections fall under FIFA’s authority rather than governments.
• Boston mayor Michelle Wu and other host-city officials affirmed readiness, with Boston forecasting roughly $1 billion in regional economic impact from its seven matches.
• Trump pointed to his relationship with Infantino after a meeting in Egypt this week, but no formal steps to change assigned venues have been initiated.