Trump warns Seattle may lose 2026 World Cup games if there's 'sign of any trouble' under new mayor

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has warned that Seattle and potentially Los Angeles could lose their scheduled 2026 FIFA World Cup matches if he believes local leaders cannot guarantee safety, taking aim at Seattle’s newly elected democratic socialist mayor and questioning LA’s preparedness during a high-stakes Oval Office meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The meeting, held on Monday, November 17, focused on security planning for the global tournament, which is expected to bring millions of international fans to the United States.

Trump targets Seattle’s new mayor, calls her ‘liberal-slash-communist’

Seattle’s incoming mayor, Katie Wilson, a self-described democratic socialist, was a key focus of Donald Trump’s warning. He suggested that political clashes and mismanagement could jeopardize the city’s role as a host.

“If we think there’s going to be a sign of any trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city,” Trump said. He emphasized that multiple cities would compete to take Seattle’s matches if necessary.

“We have a very, very liberal-slash-communist mayor,” he said. “If we think there’s going to be a problem… we will move the event to some place it will be appreciated and safe.” 

Seattle is currently scheduled to host six World Cup games, but the president made clear that its status is not guaranteed.

Trump also questions Los Angeles’ readiness, calls mayor ‘incompetent’

Donald Trump broadened his criticism when pressed about broader host-city safety concerns.

When asked specifically about Seattle’s crime issues, he pivoted to LA.

“Well, if we think that the mayor of LA is incompetent — everybody knows that,” he said, adding, “If they let the water come in that wouldn’t have happened.”

He then issued a similar warning: “If we think there’s gonna be trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city.”

LA, another major host city, has faced scrutiny from Trump before, particularly over homelessness, crime rates, and emergency response management.

FIFA president insists fans will experience a 'safe and secure' World Cup

In response to Donald Trump’s remarks, Gianni Infantino reassured that international fans would be protected, noting months of joint planning with federal and local authorities.

“They will experience a safe and secure World Cup,” Infantino said. “We must ensure that all fans coming from the world… can experience a celebration of coming together of the sport, and this goes only with 100% safety.”

 He confirmed the existence of a national task force working directly with the administration to evaluate host cities.

Kristi Noem says mayors have been told 'safety and security is their number-one responsibility'

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined the meeting and stressed that local officials understand what is expected of them.

“We are communicating with all these mayors about what their responsibilities are,” she said. “They know the safety and security of these events is their number-one responsibility.”

Noem added that the administration will intervene if it believes any host city is unprepared.

“The president is always there to keep Americans safe,” she said. “He also makes sure that people know their responsibilities… and that they are prepared to host these events and do so in a safe manner.”