NEW YORK: Senior figures behind the 2026 World Cup dismissed concerns that US president Donald Trump could move matches from cities he does not deem “safe.”
Republican president Trump said last month that he would consider moving games from Democrat-controlled San Francisco and Seattle if they did not cooperate with his immigration and crime initiatives.
He raised the issue again this week, this time targeting Boston and its Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, suggesting he could appeal directly to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino.
John Kristick, who led Canada, Mexico and the United States’ successful bid to jointly host the 2026 finals, emphasized that planning has been underway for nearly a decade and remains unaffected by political rhetoric.
“From what I’m seeing, there’s been zero distraction in terms of the preparedness,” Kristick, co-head of global events at Playfly Sports Consulting, told Reuters.
“Tickets are already being sold. Hospitality packages have been sold for almost a year now.”
Over one million World Cup tickets have been purchased so far, FIFA said on Thursday, with fans from 212 countries and territories snapping up seats.
The United States account for 11 of the 16 host cities for the largest-ever edition of the tournament, with 48 teams and 104 matches in the expanded tournament.
The quadrennial soccer showcase is returning to the United States for the first time since 1994, when the tournament sparked a new era for the sport in a country long ambivalent to it.
Earlier this year, Miami World Cup
officials
moved to allay fears that the United States’ stricter
immigration
stance under Trump could deter overseas fans that it hopes to attract.
FIFA previously said that the global governing body for soccer has the final say on whether to move the 2026 World Cup but this week noted: “Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility.
“They decide what is in the best interest for public safety,” FIFA added.
“We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements.”
Ricardo Trade, CEO of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Local Organizing Committee, said the abundance of good stadiums in the United States would make the possibility of relocating games “feasible,” so long as it does not happen after the Dec. 5 draw.
“In a country like the United States, where every state has large, ready-to-use stadiums, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible,” said Trade, who also served as CEO of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 in the US
New York and New Jersey, responsible for eight games, including the final, have maintained their focus, said NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry, with daily fan festivals planned across the country’s biggest metropolitan region.
“We’ve spoken to FIFA, we’re working with the White House Task Force, I don’t think there’s any worry about the games being moved,” said Lasry.
“I have no concern, but if you know, anyone wants to move games, from Chicago to here or from anywhere to here, we’re more than excited to have more games.”
Relocating World Cup matches unlikely despite Trump rhetoric, current and former officials say
https://arab.news/b4zqx
Relocating World Cup matches unlikely despite Trump rhetoric, current and former officials say
- “From what I’m seeing, there’s been zero distraction in terms of the preparedness,” Kristick, co-head of global events at Playfly Sports Consulting, said
- The United States account for 11 of the 16 host cities for the largest-ever edition of the tournament
Real Sociedad edge rivals Athletic to reach Copa del Rey final
- Real Sociedad have now not lost in their last 10 derby clashes at home against Athletic, whom they beat in the 2020 final, and rarely looked like letting their advantage slip
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home a late penalty to fire Real Sociedad into the Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win over Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 aggregate semifinal triumph.
American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has turned La Real’s fortunes around since arriving in December and his side will face Atletico Madrid in the Seville final on April 18, after they ousted Barcelona.
Already holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Athletic’s San Mames, Real Sociedad produced a sturdy display at the Reale Arena to knock out the 24-time winners.
“Very proud of what the boys have done, over the past two months, it’s pretty amazing,” said Matarazzo.
“Our first match was on the fourth of January... and we just reached the cup final.
“The football we’re playing is effective and we want to continue... we’re in the final and we want to win it.”
Real Sociedad have now not lost in their last 10 derby clashes at home against Athletic, whom they beat in the 2020 final, and rarely looked like letting their advantage slip.
“I think having the one goal advantage helped, we managed the tempo well,” Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin told Movistar.
“We didn’t want a lot to happen, and we did well.”
La Real had the better of a tense first half, with Carlos Soler coming closest. The midfielder’s free-kick, flying toward the top corner, was tipped over by Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla.
Matarazzo’s team had more of the ball and forced the visitors back, albeit without carving out many more openings.
Athletic defender Aitor Paredes made a last-ditch block to keep former Valencia midfielder Soler at bay, and Goncalo Guedes drilled into the side-netting.
Ernesto Valverde’s side improved in the second half and began to threaten La Real, again without finding a clear sight of goal.
Alejandro Berenguer fizzed a shot wide after Inaki Williams fed him on the edge of the box.
Los Leones were missing dangerous Spanish winger Nico Williams, who is sidelined indefinitely with a groin problem.
Oyarzabal seals it
The match was decided from the penalty spot when Athletic’s Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta grabbed a fistful of Yangel Herrera’s shirt as he tried to jump in the box.
After a VAR review the referee awarded a spot-kick and Spain striker Oyarzabal coolly sent Padilla the wrong way in the 87th minute.
Mikel Vesga might have levelled on the night for Athletic in stoppage time as they pushed forward with urgency but Real Sociedad stopper Unai Marrero saved well with his leg to help book his team’s flight to Andalusia.
“It was a hard-fought game, a Basque derby,” said Valverde.
“We had a clear chance at the end, we could have got back into the game but it wasn’t to be.”
Icelandic striker Orri Oskarsson could have extended La Real’s lead at the death but nodded against the post, although it did not matter in the end.
“It feels terrible, it’s a shame, we wanted to reach that final in Seville, I don’t even know what to say,” Athletic striker Williams told Movistar.
“(For the penalty) there’s that kind of grabbing in every box, every corner, and it’s very difficult (to take).”
