Trump Threatens Pulling of World Cup Games from the Boston area, Olympic Games from California

Ex-president Trump has once again stated he would influence FIFA to relocate 2026 World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal politics, with Boston becoming the latest urban area to encounter such statements from the US president. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either tournament, he can exert influence the international organizations in charge of each tournament to shift locations.

Context of Remarks

These remarks were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a massive rescue package for the Latin American nation. Near the end of the event, a media member asked Trump about a latest public disturbance in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was burned. The reporter also asked if the situation could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” the former president stated concerning the World Cup fixtures, set to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “She is not good … they're extremist, and they’re occupying parts of the city. It's a pretty big claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants assemble on urban roads during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a frequent issue in US urban areas since the lockdown shutdowns. Current similar events have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, including Boston. However, these events are usually not considered associated with any distinct partisan agenda.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I would call the organization's president, who is outstanding, and tell him it should be shifted to another location,” Trump said during the event. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy doing it, but he’d do it. Very easily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president prior to next year’s tournament, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the United States along with several in Canada and multiple in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple presidential gatherings, facilitated Trump present the club tournament award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a visit to the Gulf states earlier in 2025.

Past Statements

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis faced parallel criticism, with Trump claiming both urban centers were “governed by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and implying that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a gathering in London.

“It’s the organization's event, FIFA’s jurisdiction, the organization determines these matters,” he said. “With all due respect to current world leaders, the sport is bigger than political figures and the game will survive their regime and their policies. It's the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than a single person and bigger than individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“When I thought Los Angeles was not going to be prepared properly, I'd shift it to another location if necessary,” he said. “On that one I may have to get a alternative permission, but we'd do that.”

Official consent Trump refers to would must come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their president, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in spring and has not yet appear together with the former president, though she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at some point.

Further Comments

He also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of recent California fires, stating that a parallel incident could lead to the removal of the Olympics.

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

The warning was similarly unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston better clean up their act,” he remarked. “That is I will say.”