World Cup in Chaos As Donald Trump Makes Two Major Threats
The United States will co-host the tournament next summer
The 2026 World Cup has been thrown into chaos after President Donald Trump made two major threats just months before the tournament is due to kick off.
The United States will co-host next summer's competition alongside both Canada and Mexico, the first time the tournament has been staged by three countries.
Although Spain are the early favourites following their success at the 2024 European Championships, England, France and Argentina will be confident of challenging for the trophy.
This summer's edition will also be historic as the first World Cup to include 48 teams, expanded from the traditional 32 countries.
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And FIFA has now confirmed that more than six million tickets will be made available for matches next summer.
However, preparations have been thrown into turmoil, with President Trump once again threatening to strip cities of their hosting rights.
Last month, Trump claimed he had the authority to 'take away' World Cup matches from Boston if he felt the city was unsafe.
Then on Monday night at the White House with FIFA president Gianni Infantino beside him, Trump threatened to do the same with Seattle.
He warned that unless the city's crime rate improves, then he could remove their hosting rights.
The president then asked Infantino whether that was possible.
Infantino replied: "Yeah, well I think safety and security is the number one priority."
Trump also sparked alarm after he said he would be 'ok' with launching US strikes in Mexico to fight drug cartels.
As per NBC, he said: “Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs.
"Mexico is, look, I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There’s some big problems over there."
While inside the Oval Office, Trump also announced that American embassies will give visa appointment priority to supporters holding World Cup tickets.
Although ticket-holders will not automatically be granted a visa, the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) is designed to speed up the process.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said foreign nationals would be able to secure an interview within six to eight weeks of applying.
He insisted that ticket holders would receive the 'same vetting as anybody else would get'.
With the opening game of the World Cup set for June 11 in Mexico City, Trump's latest remarks have created jeopardy around the tournament.
And with the full draw on December 5, it risks throwing the plans of supporters into turmoil.
Topics: Donald Trump, FIFA, Football, FIFA World Cup, Football World Cup
James Taylor