Updated October 23, 2026, 5:20 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump has expressed concern over the NFL’s decision to hold this week’s international game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints in Paris, amid large-scale protests and unrest across France, particularly in the capital.
“It worries you,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Oct. 23 as he left for a rally in Florida. “I think tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France so we’re worried about that. I would have said the NFL probably could have postponed this game. France is really in trouble. That’s what happens when you go left. That’s what happens when you allow an unlimited number of people from very hostile countries into your country.”
The NFL and participating teams said they were comfortable continuing with the game despite anti-government protests that escalated into riots and violence, leading to more than 2,000 arrests across France. Earlier this week, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked regional authorities to impose a partial evening curfew.
Paris Saint-Germain’s home match against Lyon has also been postponed from Sunday October 25 to Monday October 26 following a request from the Paris Police Prefecture, the service responsible for public security in the region. Ligue 1 announced its decision on Friday, as police prepare for a new wave of protests after last week’s demonstrations against the high cost of living in France and the degradation of public education turned into a night of violence and looting.
But NFL officials have repeatedly expressed confidence in the league’s security preparations.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the situation in France and the NFL’s security plans. Both the Steelers and Saints arrived in France on Friday, October 23.
“Very high,” Goodell said of his comfort level. “We are guests in the countryside.”
NFL vice president for international and club affairs Peter O’Reilly said earlier this week that the league was “never close” to moving forward with the game and remained “confident in our operational and security plans.” He stressed that the NFL is cooperating with Parisian and French authorities, as well as the US State Department.
The match is taking place at the Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis, a suburb bordering Paris to the northeast and about six miles from the areas most affected by last week’s looting. The postponement of the Ligue 1 match is aimed at reducing pressure on the police force, who will also patrol the NFL match ground and the city center.
“Obviously, we’re very vigilant in everything we do, in all our hour-by-hour planning, working closely with both teams,” O’Reilly said.
– USA TODAY Sports reporters Chris Bumbaca and Jon Arnold contributed to this story
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