President Donald Trump raised the possibility of relocating 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for Seattle during an announcement with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, characterising newly elected Mayor Katie Wilson as a “very, very liberal-slash-communist mayor” and suggesting the city might not provide a safe environment for international soccer fans.
The comments came as Trump and Infantino unveiled an expedited visa process for World Cup ticket holders seeking entry into the United States, a procedural announcement that Trump transformed into a platform for criticising Seattle’s political leadership and questioning whether the city deserves to host six World Cup matches planned for Lumen Field.
“If we think there’s a problem in Seattle, where we have a very, very liberal-slash-communist mayor, certainly beyond just liberal…. I watched her over the weekend… wow, that’s another beauty we got there. But if we think there’s gonna be another problem, we’re gonna move this event to another place where it’s going to be appreciated and safe,” Trump stated during the announcement.
When Trump redirected the question to Infantino, the FIFA president declined to directly engage with the political characterisation but emphasised that safety and security represent FIFA’s highest priority whilst noting that robust early ticket sales indicate fans harbour no significant concerns about attending matches in Seattle or other host cities.
The threat to relocate World Cup matches from Seattle represents an extraordinary intervention by a US president into international sporting event logistics, particularly given that FIFA has executed binding contracts with 11 American cities and venues to host matches. The Trump administration has already allocated $625 million to those cities for security infrastructure and recently pledged an additional $500 million specifically for counter-drone defence systems, suggesting significant federal investment in ensuring successful events across all host locations.
FIFA’s confidence in Seattle as a host city has been demonstrated through recent actions including Infantino’s October 2024 tour of Seattle facilities and the Sounders’ Renton training complex, where the FIFA president praised the infrastructure. Additionally, FIFA selected Lumen Field to host multiple Club World Cup matches during summer 2024, events that proceeded without significant security incidents or operational complaints, providing recent evidence of Seattle’s capability to manage international soccer competitions.
The Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee responded to Trump’s comments by emphasising continuity in planning efforts and collaborative relationships with federal agencies. Committee President Peter Tomozawa stated the organisation is “working lockstep with the White House Task Force” and coordinating “at every level of government, local, state, national, even international, on the border, to make sure this event comes off as the best event ever.”
Tomozawa also revealed that Wilson had proactively contacted the organising committee to gather information about World Cup preparations and express enthusiasm about hosting the international tournament, suggesting the incoming mayor recognises the event’s significance and is engaging constructively with planning processes.
Wilson’s transition team pointed to campaign statements in which she articulated vision for hosting an “awesome” World Cup whilst leveraging the event to create lasting benefits: “This is a chance to make permanent upgrades to downtown public spaces and public transit, not just expensive, temporary improvements for the duration of the event.”
Current Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a forceful rebuttal to Trump’s characterisation of the city as unsafe, citing recent crime statistics showing violent crime down 20%, homicides down 42%, and shootings down 29%. Harrell framed Trump’s comments as displaying “ignorance about our city and what we stand for” and emphasised Seattle’s track record attracting major sporting, cultural, and music events that demonstrate international confidence in the city.
“We are not going to be intimidated by political theatrics from the other Washington,” Harrell stated, drawing a pointed distinction between Seattle’s municipal government and the federal administration in Washington, DC. “Seattle leaders will continue to do the hard work necessary to create a safe, welcoming, and fun experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Visit Seattle, the city’s official tourism organisation, issued its own statement expressing enthusiasm about welcoming international soccer fans and emphasising collaborative work with law enforcement to deliver safe and secure World Cup experiences.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson characterised Seattle as an “excellent host” for World Cup matches and indicated his administration has been working closely with Seattle and partners to ensure the region serves as one of the best host locations. Ferguson expressed eagerness to work with Wilson’s incoming administration and share the city and state with global audiences.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s office, when asked for comment, declined to issue a formal statement but offered a quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing,” a literary reference suggesting Trump’s comments merit dismissal as meaningless bluster rather than serious policy consideration.
