What we’re hearing about World Cup 2026: Trump’s threat to move host cities concerns sponsors - The Athletic

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented a World Cup final ticket to US President Donald Trump, amid ongoing concerns about the 2026 men's World Cup host cities in the United States. President Trump has repeatedly warned that he is prepared to relocate matches from cities he deems unsafe, with FIFA indicating it would align with government decisions on safety and security, as stated by a spokesperson in October.

Trump specifically named Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston as areas of concern during his presidency, all of which are designated World Cup host cities. In late September, he asserted that he would contact Infantino to move matches to other locations if he perceived unsafe conditions, emphasizing that FIFA would comply, though reluctantly.

This uncertainty has posed challenges for host cities in driving local sponsorship for the tournament. While FIFA maintains exclusivity for its sponsors at stadiums, host cities can seek revenue from fan festivals in non-competing categories. However, anonymous host city executives have expressed concerns that the political instability could deter sponsor commitments, as brands may hesitate due to the risk of matches being relocated.

Bob Lynch, founder and CEO of SponsorUnited, highlighted that the political environment could slow down sponsorship deals by causing brands to delay decisions and seek legal protections. He noted that such uncertainty, similar to economic downturns or events like COVID-19, often leads to prolonged negotiations and discussions about exit clauses, ultimately hindering the conversion of sponsorship agreements and creating disruptions for sales efforts.