“Football Is Bigger Than You” — FIFA Fires Back At Trump’s Threats To Move 2026 World Cup Matches From Democratic Cities

In a dramatic twist to the buildup toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, world football’s governing body has issued a sharp rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump following his repeated threats to strip certain Democratic-led cities of their hosting rights.

According to reports on Thursday, October 16, 2025, President Trump once again lashed out at major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, claiming they were “unsafe” and “poorly managed” by Democratic leaders. He further suggested that FIFA President Gianni Infantino would support his alleged plan to reassign World Cup fixtures to other, more “Trump-friendly” states.

But FIFA wasted no time in setting the record straight. In a firm and pointed statement released on Thursday, the global football body reminded the U.S. president that the World Cup belongs to FIFA, not politicians.

> “Safety and security are top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide,” the statement read. “These responsibilities rest with host governments and local authorities, not individual political leaders. The selection of host cities is final and based on merit, infrastructure, and readiness — not politics.”

FIFA reaffirmed that all 16 U.S. host cities, alongside co-host nations Canada and Mexico, remain integral to the 2026 tournament plans. The organization stressed that every city had undergone a rigorous selection process and met international standards for logistics, safety, and fan experience.

Weighing in on the controversy, FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani delivered what many have called a “reality check” to the American leader.

> “It’s FIFA’s tournament. It’s FIFA’s jurisdiction. FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani asserted. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them. Football will outlast their governments, their slogans, and their politics. That’s the beauty of the game — it transcends power.”

The statement underscores FIFA’s unwavering independence from political influence and its mission to protect football’s status as a global unifier, not a pawn in political rivalry.

As preparations for the 2026 World Cup — the first to feature 48 teams — accelerate, FIFA remains focused on fostering collaboration, security, and inclusion across all host nations. The governing body made it clear: no political rhetoric, not even from the White House, will derail “the world’s game.”