On October 14, President Donald Trump made a threat to relocate World Cup matches that are scheduled to be played in suburban Boston in 2026, citing unrest that has reportedly been unravelling in some parts of the city. Recently, the US president also criticized Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu, whom he described as "intelligent" but "radical left."
"We could take them away," Trump told the media. "I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good."
Indeed, as tensions continue to rise amid ongoing protests across the US, which also prompted the deployment of National Guard troops in several cities, it raises questions about where the World Cup will be held, and what role the US will play given the country’s current situation.
Seven years after FIFA announced that the United States, Canada, and Mexico would co-host the 2026 World Cup, the first meeting of the US administration's 2026 World Cup task force took place in May 2025. Since then, questions have been raised about whether the United States is fully prepared to host the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world, with concerns being voiced about visas, infrastructure, and poor security technology, among other issues.
So, is America prepared enough to welcome millions of soccer fans next year, or is it on course to score an embarrassing own goal?
Click through the following gallery and see if the United States is set for soccer's big moment.