In a firm rebuttal to former US President Donald Trump's recent suggestions, FIFA has confirmed that no World Cup 2026 matches will be relocated from their originally scheduled venues.
The clarification comes directly from FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani, who stated unequivocally that the tournament schedule remains unchanged despite Trump's public comments about potentially moving games away from states that implemented strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Political Interference Firmly Rejected
Montagliani emphasised FIFA's commitment to keeping football separate from political influence, telling reporters: "The matches are not going to be moved. The World Cup is about football, not politics."
The FIFA official's comments follow Trump's recent remarks suggesting he would consider relocating World Cup matches from states like New York and California if re-elected, citing their pandemic-era policies as justification.
North American Tournament Proceeds as Planned
The 2026 World Cup represents a landmark event as the first tournament to be hosted across three nations - the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The extensive preparation and coordination between the host countries appears to have created a framework resistant to political pressure.
Key tournament details remain unchanged:
- Matches scheduled across 16 host cities in three countries
- First 48-team tournament in World Cup history
- Original venue selections made after extensive evaluation
- No consideration given to political interference in scheduling
Montagliani reinforced that FIFA's decisions are based solely on football considerations and the best interests of the global game, rather than political preferences or commentary from any individual.
