FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has made it clear that decisions about the 2026 World Cup will remain firmly in FIFA’s hands, not in the office of the United States president.
Speaking at a football conference in London, Montagliani — who also heads CONCACAF — addressed recent remarks by Donald Trump, who had suggested that matches could be moved away from cities he considered unsafe.
Brushing off the claim, the Canadian football chief stressed that hosting rights are decided solely by FIFA.
“It’s FIFA’s tournament, under FIFA’s jurisdiction. With all due respect to world leaders, football is bigger than them. It outlasts their governments and their slogans,” Montagliani stated.
The 2026 edition will be historic as the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries — Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Matches will be spread across multiple cities, with FIFA overseeing the final selection to ensure safety, fairness, and international appeal.
Beyond venues, scheduling has also become a pressing issue. After extreme heat disrupted fixtures at the recent Club World Cup in Los Angeles, FIFA is now reconsidering kick-off times for 2026. Games during that tournament were held at 17:00, 20:00, 23:00 and 02:00 BST — timings that worked for European broadcasters but left players battling dangerous temperatures.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique criticised being forced to play in 40-degree heat, while Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez admitted to feeling dizzy during matches.
Reflecting on those concerns, Montagliani said the lesson was obvious: “Kick-off times.” With 48 teams and four group matches scheduled daily, FIFA is weighing how to balance global television audiences with player safety.
Although five of the 16 stadiums have retractable or permanent roofs, Montagliani explained that shade alone won’t solve the issue. Talks with broadcasters and organisers are ongoing.
“Summers are hot in Canada and the US. We’re speaking daily with media across Europe and beyond about what’s best — which stadiums can handle a 3pm game, and which can’t. That’s all being considered,” he explained.
While FIFA will aim for fairness and player welfare, Montagliani admitted not every kick-off will be ideal. “Will every match be perfectly timed for television? Probably not,” he said.
The full schedule is expected to be announced after the World Cup draw, but fans in Europe should brace for late-night kick-offs.
