🔗 Share this article

Former President Trump has yet again announced he would urge FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup games from a designated city based on the local politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent targeted location to encounter such statements from the US president. Furthermore, Trump suggested he would contemplate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have formal power to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can lobby the international organizations overseeing each competition to shift host cities.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was visiting the White House following the disclosure of a massive bailout for the Argentine economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also asked if the situation could cause the revocation of hosting duties for the expanded soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” he remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup games, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … she’s radical left, and they’re occupying sections of downtown. It's a pretty big statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a digitally organized occurrence where large crowds congregate on urban roads after dark to engage in dangerous driving, have become a frequent nuisance in US urban areas since the coronavirus restrictions. Recent incidents have escalated into violence in the state, notably in downtown. However, these events are usually not regarded as linked to any specific partisan agenda.

“In cases where someone is failing, and I believe there are dangerous circumstances, I would call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to another location,” Trump stated during the event. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be publicly aligned with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the United States along with a couple in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the cancellation of FIFA World Cup matches from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and San Francisco were comparable comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s statements when he reacted afterward at a gathering in London.

“It is our competition, under our authority, the organization determines these matters,” he declared. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their policies. That’s the essence of football, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the LA Olympic event.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I'd shift it to another location if I had to,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to secure a alternative consent, but we will take that action.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, she, was selected to her role in spring and has not yet appear together with him, but she said that she desires a meeting with him at a future time.

Other Remarks

He also condemned Gavin Newsom’s management of the blazes, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be strict,” the former president commented.

His message was just as clear for Boston.

“They should clean up their act,” he said. “It's I will say.”