The organisation’s vice-president Victor Montagliani says football “bigger than any individual”
Fifa has warned it is the only body with the authority to change host cities for the 2026 World Cup, after US president Donald Trump suggested matches could be moved if he considered certain locations unsafe.
Trump said last week that he would block games in cities he described as “dangerous”, citing San Francisco and Seattle as examples.
This was despite Fifa having finalised its venue plan two years ago, confirming 16 host cities across the US, Mexico and Canada.
The governing body’s vice-president Victor Montagliani addressed the issue during a conference in London on Wednesday.
“It’s Fifa’s tournament, Fifa’s jurisdiction,” said Montagliani, who is also the president of Concacaf. “Fifa makes those decisions.
“With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.
“That’s the beauty of our game, is that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”
Changing venues now would present major logistical and contractual obstacles. Cities have already signed agreements with Fifa and invested heavily in preparations ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on 11 June and runs until 19 July.
On the issue of Uefa banning Israel from European footballing competitions, Montagliani said: “I respect that it’s a decision by Uefa. It’s their member, they have to deal with it and I respect not only the appropriate process, but whatever decision they make.”
