Trump threatens to move World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities. What about KC?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Trump threatened to relocate World Cup games from cities he deems dangerous.
- Kansas City officials affirmed safety readiness despite political tensions.
- FIFA retains authority to cancel city contracts under extraordinary conditions.
As Kansas City prepares for the World Cup next year, President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to move matches away from cities he considers dangerous.
Trump, speaking with reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, responded to a question about whether he would pull matches from cities that have opposed his administration’s immigration and crime policies.
The question referenced San Francisco and Seattle, two cities poised to host matches next year. Trump said they were “run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.”
“Any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup…because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it,” Trump said in a wide-ranging answer. “We’ll move it around a little bit. But I hope that’s not going to happen.”
Trump’s comments have drawn national attention as cities across the U.S. prepare to host hundreds of thousands of fans next year. While Trump did not mention Kansas City, the threat has sparked questions about whether the Democratic-leaning city could soon be a target.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, however, did not appear concerned. Lucas, in a statement to The Star, referenced the fact that the city’s police were under state control, a highly unusual arrangement with four police commissioners appointed by Missouri’s Republican governor.
“Public safety officials, including our Republican-appointed Police Board, are working daily to ensure the games in Kansas City are safe for all,” Lucas said. “I am confident in their work. FIFA loves Kansas City and Kansas City loves FIFA. We’ll be fine.”
It remains unclear how the Trump administration would be able to change World Cup sites ahead of the June event. Trump does not have explicit authority to move matches out of any city, The New York Times reported on Thursday.
The host agreement between Kansas City, FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation states that FIFA and U.S. Soccer “shall not have the right for ordinary termination” of the contract, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Star.
However, the agreement appears to grant FIFA sweeping power to terminate the contract on “extraordinary” grounds, such as if Kansas City violates the agreement, “declares insolvency” or enters bankruptcy.
Kansas City World Cup organizers respond
In response to Trump’s comments, Pam Kramer, the CEO of KC 2026, the nonprofit organizing Kansas City’s World Cup effort, said in a statement that Kansas City “remains focused on preparing to deliver an outstanding” World Cup.
“Our team is working closely with our local, state and federal partners, FIFA, and the White House Task Force to ensure the event leaves a sustained and long-term impact for our region,” Kramer said. “We appreciate and share the President’s commitment to safety and security, and are confident in our preparations and in showcasing Kansas City to the world.”
Spokespeople for FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
Kansas City is slated to host four group-stage matches during the 2026 World Cup next summer. Trump is expected to announce which games each city will host during a draw on Dec. 5.
While Lucas rebuffed Trump’s threat, the Republican president has also threatened to deploy troops to Democratic-leaning cities as part of a purported attempt to crack down on crime.
Lawmakers across the sprawling Kansas City region, which is more diverse and politically progressive than other parts of Missouri, have expressed fear that the city could be next. Crime in Kansas City has long been a key talking point for Missouri Republicans.
Homicide numbers in Kansas City have been consistently high over the past nine years though there were dips in 2018, 2021 and 2024, according to annual reports for the Kansas City Police Department and numbers The Star tracks.
