FIFA has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he could remove “dangerous” cities from hosting matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking at a sports business conference in London, FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, who is Canadian and based in Vancouver, reminded that “It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.”

Trump implied last week that host cities which do not align with his immigration and crime crackdowns could be dropped from the 104-game tournament. He also suggested the same approach for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, sparking confusion over host agreements.

Montagliani, who also leads CONCACAF, stressed that football is larger than politics: “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.”

FIFA finalized its hosting plan in 2022, confirming 11 U.S. cities plus three in Mexico and two in Canada — Toronto and Vancouver. Any late changes would face immense logistical and legal barriers, given the June 11 kickoff is just eight months away.

The World Cup relies heavily on government cooperation for security and visas, but FIFA maintains full control of city selection. While Trump maintains close ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the soccer body has made clear that decisions on venues rest solely with them.

Yesterday evening in Burnaby, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver hosted an evocative musical evening that bridged nearly 15,000 kilometres between Canada and India. The celebrated Tetseo Sisters, cultural ambassadors from Nagaland, India, took to the stage at the Michael J. Fox Theatre to share their tribal-folk fusion melodies with a Vancouver audience.

The free public concert, which began around 6:00 PM, attracted a diverse crowd eager to experience the signature harmonies and traditional songs of the sisters. The event was part of the Consulate’s cultural outreach to connect Indian diasporas, music lovers, and local communities to the artistic heritage of Nagaland.

The Tetseo Sisters — Mütsevelü (Mercy), Azine (Azi), Kuvelü (Kuku), and Alüne (Lulu) — have long been torchbearers of “Li”, the folk-song tradition of their Chakhesang Naga community. On stage in Vancouver, they fused their ancestral Chokri vocals with subtle contemporary arrangements, weaving between Indigenous Naga chants, English and Hindi covers, and soft harmonies that echoed across the hall.

Several audience members noted goosebumps as the sisters sang, “You could feel the tribal roots across oceans,” one attendee told a local music page. While space was limited, many lined the aisles or stood at the back, eyes fixed on the stage, immersed in the cadence and cultural resonance.

In remarks at the event, representatives from the Consulate expressed pride in bringing such a unique cultural exchange to Vancouver. The sisters’ performance was billed as part of the Consulate’s program to spotlight folk fusion from Northeast India.

For Vancouver, which hosts a vibrant Indian diaspora and growing appreciation for global music, the event marked more than just a concert—it was a moment of cultural dialogue. Many attendees left with new curiosity about Naga music, language, and the rich traditions of India’s northeast.