Donald Trump Suggests Relocation of World Cup Games from Boston, Olympics from Los Angeles

Former President Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to remove 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on that city's politics, with the Boston region becoming the most recent urban area to face such threats from the US president. Moreover, Trump remarked he would consider parallel steps against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Informal Leverage

While Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the international organizations overseeing each competition to move locations.

Setting for Statements

His remarks were made during a media briefing with Javier Milei, who was at the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Latin American country. At the close of the gathering, a journalist questioned Trump about a latest “street takeover” in Boston where authorities were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if these incidents could lead to the loss of organizing rights for the larger World Cup.

“We could take them away,” he remarked about the World Cup matches, set to be staged at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is extremist, and they are dominating sections of the city. That’s a significant claim, right?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where groups of people congregate on urban roads during nighttime to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have become a frequent issue in American cities since the lockdown closures. Recent similar events have become aggressive in the region, notably in downtown. Yet, these gatherings are generally not considered linked to any particular partisan agenda.

“When a mayor is failing, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I'd call Gianni [Infantino], who is excellent, and suggest let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president commented publicly. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has been open his attempts to be closely connected with Trump ahead of next year’s tournament, set to be organized in 11 cities across the US along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has been present at several White House gatherings, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer games from different locations. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar comments, with Trump stating both locations were “led by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they’re doing,” while questioning the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

Organizational Statement

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” he declared. “Politely to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their government. That is the essence of this sport, that it is more significant than a single person and beyond a nation.”

LA Games Warning

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city veered into a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed the city was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to a different city if necessary,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we will proceed.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would must come through the IOC. The president, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in March and has yet to meet publicly with him, although she stated that she would like a meeting with Trump at some point.

Other Remarks

He also questioned the state's leader Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, remarking that a similar situation could lead to the removal of the event.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” the former president commented.

The warning was equally direct for Boston.

“The city better address these issues,” he said. “That’s all my message.”