FIFA Retaliates Against Donald Trump in the 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump caused controversy when he implied that if the security of certain host cities was not assured, he may exclude them from the 2026 World Cup.

The U.S. president’s accusation that certain communities are “run by left-wing extremists who don’t know what they’re doing” instantly heightened political tensions surrounding the competition.

FIFA’s vice president and CONCACAF president, Victor Montagliani, reacted promptly. In a speech in London, he emphasized that FIFA still has authority over the World Cup. “This tournament belongs to FIFA, it is under FIFA’s jurisdiction, and FIFA makes these decisions,” he said, rejecting the notion that political figures might compel modifications to the hosting schedule.

Going one step further, Montagliani emphasized that football transcends political agendas and countries. “Governments and their slogans will be outlasted by the game.” Football is great because it transcends both national boundaries and individual players. With that forceful declaration, FIFA highlighted the sport’s ability to bring people together and reaffirmed its independence ahead of the historic World Cup that the US, Canada, and Mexico will co-host.