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Recently, Trump stirred some controversy by suggesting that World Cup games could be moved from their host cities due to their opposition to his policies. On two separate occasions, reporters asked him about this idea, particularly focusing on cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, which have seen protests against his administration.
In one press event, he responded, “If any city seems dangerous for the World Cup, we won’t allow it to happen there.” While speaking about Chicago, he mentioned he would send in federal agencies to ensure safety, even though Chicago isn’t a host city for the 2026 World Cup.
Street takeovers have turned violent in cities like Boston, where some people have attacked police and vehicles. However, these incidents aren’t tied to any political ideology and aren’t seen as a major threat to World Cup events.
### Does the President Have Power Over the World Cup?
In short, not really. The agreements for host cities are made between FIFA and local governments. The U.S. president can’t unilaterally cancel these deals. However, he might influence decisions by withholding federal funding or communicating directly with FIFA.
### Could FIFA Move Games?
Theoretically, yes. FIFA has clauses in its host agreements that allow for the revocation of a city’s hosting rights if safety conditions aren’t met. However, moving games is a massive undertaking that could lead to legal issues. Given the logistical challenges, it’s unlikely to happen.
In the past, events have been relocated due to extreme circumstances, like health crises or wars. The last significant event that was moved was the 2003 Women’s World Cup from China to the U.S. due to SARS.
### The U.S. Government’s Role
The government mostly focuses on promoting these events and ensuring safety. They also handle visa approvals for international visitors, but processing delays have raised concerns about timely arrivals for the games. Security agencies may boost safety in host cities as well.
### FIFA’s Standpoint
So far, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hasn’t commented on Trump’s remarks, but FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani was clear: “Football is bigger than any individual leader.” FIFA emphasizes that safety is paramount and that the responsibility lies with the government.
The Boston mayor, Michelle Wu, also dismissed Trump’s threats, highlighting that contractual agreements make it impossible for any one person to change hosting decisions.
### What If Washington Intervenes?
If Washington tries to intervene, it will be an interesting test. Generally, institutions comply, but it remains uncertain how FIFA or the International Olympic Committee would respond.
In recent years, safety has become a prominent discussion in politics, particularly during big events like the World Cup. The necessity for safety brings added scrutiny to how cities prepare.
As we approach the World Cup, the focus may shift from political threats to ensuring safe and successful events for fans around the world.
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This version aims to provide essential insights in a conversational manner while maintaining clarity and engagement. The various sections that previously included fluff and excessive details have been streamlined for improved readability.
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