President Donald Trump issued a warning Thursday that U.S. cities hosting 2026 World Cup matches could lose their games if deemed unsafe, raising questions about the future of scheduled games in Texas cities — specifically Arlington and Dallas.
“If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city,” Trump told reporters, as quoted by The Dallas Morning News. “So if any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup… we won’t allow it. We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
Trump singled out Seattle and San Francisco, criticizing their leadership and public safety. “They’re run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing,” he said.
Dallas and Arlington, targeted cities, are preparing to host nine matches, including a semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Dallas Sports Commission, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross all declined to comment. FIFA did not immediately respond to inquiries.
It remains unclear whether moving matches is logistically or legally feasible. FIFA, not the U.S. government, controls host city selections and logistics. Nonetheless, Trump is known to have a strong working relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump’s comments come amid his broader crackdown on crime in Democratic-led cities. In recent months, he has deployed National Guard troops to cities including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, citing violent crime.
According to FBI statistics, Arlington’s violent crime rate (482.9 per 100,000 residents) is lower than San Francisco (596.5), Seattle (775), and Dallas (658.2).
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