Source:REUTERS/Marco Bello
[Saba Sports News] According to British media, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Democrat-controlled World Cup host cities, including Boston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, that if he deems there are “security concerns,” he will ask FIFA President Gianni Infantino to change the venues. This issue initially arose when some cities refused to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in raids targeting undocumented immigrants. In June this year, street protests erupted in Los Angeles, leading Trump to deploy the National Guard. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with 16 host cities selected by FIFA in June 2022. If a city’s hosting rights are revoked at this stage, it would be a costly change for fans and teams who have already made travel and accommodation plans. Some believe Trump’s move is essentially an attempt to pressure Democratic mayors into complying with his federal policies, including ICE raids. In fact, Trump has repeatedly threatened to change World Cup host cities. Last month, he specifically warned Boston that he might ask FIFA to revoke the city’s World Cup hosting rights.