The former president Warns of Pulling of FIFA World Cup Fixtures from Massachusetts, Olympic Games from LA

Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Boston emerging as the most recent such city to receive such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump suggested he would evaluate parallel steps against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived safety issues.

Jurisdictional Limits and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either tournament, he may lobby the organizing committees in charge of each tournament to change locations.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the disclosure of a massive financial assistance for the South American nation. Near the close of the event, a media member questioned Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also wondered if these incidents could result in the revocation of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“We could take them away,” he said regarding the World Cup games, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … they're extremist, and activists are occupying sections of the city. It's a significant assertion, right?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Street takeovers, a digitally organized phenomenon where large crowds assemble on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a frequent problem in US urban areas since the lockdown closures. Current incidents have become aggressive in the state, including Boston. However, these gatherings are usually not regarded as associated with any specific ideological group.

“If a city is doing a bad job, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I'd call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump said publicly. “And he would do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he’d do it.”

FIFA Relationship

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with two in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has been present at various White House events, arranged for Trump present the club tournament trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from warning about the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump stating both locations were “led by ideological activists who lack understanding what they're managing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and implying that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he responded subsequently at a event in England.

“This is the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” Montagliani stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and soccer will endure their tenure and their policies. That is the beauty of football, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

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

“When I believed Los Angeles was not adequately ready, I will move it to another location as needed,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to get a varying approval, but we'd proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. The head, Kirsty Coventry, was selected to her position in this year and has so far not appear together with Trump, though she indicated that she hopes for a discussion with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also condemned California governor Newsom’s handling of recent California fires, saying that a parallel incident could lead to the relocation of the Olympics.

“If he is uncooperative, we are going to have to be strict,” the former president said.

His message was equally clear for the Massachusetts city.

“The city better address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”