Donald Trump Suggests Relocation of FIFA World Cup Games from the Boston area, Olympics from LA

Former President Trump has yet again stated he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a host city based on municipal political climate, with Boston becoming the third targeted location to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump suggested he would contemplate similar action against Southern California for the 2028 Summer Games due to possible safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to directly relocate either tournament, he may apply pressure the international organizations overseeing each tournament to move locations.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentina's leader Milei, who was present in the White House following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Latin American economy. Near the close of the event, a media member asked Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was burned. The reporter also asked if such events could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated about the soccer games, planned to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “The city's leader is ineffective … she’s radical left, and activists are dominating sections of Boston. That’s a major assertion, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where large crowds assemble on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have emerged as a repeated problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Current such gatherings have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in Boston. Nevertheless, these occurrences are generally not considered tied to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and suggest we should relocate it to another location,” he stated publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Very easily, he would.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader before the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the US along with several in Canada and multiple in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at several Oval Office functions, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup cup after the championship match, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from threatening the removal of FIFA World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “run by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the public safety of both areas and suggesting that matches could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s our competition, under our authority, the organization determines those decisions,” he declared. “With all due respect to current world leaders, soccer is more important than them and soccer will outlast their administration and their leadership. That’s the strength of our game, that it is transcends any individual and more important than any country.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s answer to a question about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“When I believed the city was failing to be adequately ready, I would shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” he said. “On that one I might have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would need to come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, she, was chosen to her post in this year and has so far not appear together with him, though she indicated that she would like a meeting with him at some point.

Additional Criticism

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s management of the blazes, saying that a similar situation could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” he said.

His message was just as direct for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”
Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson

Zkušená novinářka se specializací na politické a ekonomické zpravodajství, píšící pro přední česká média.