Trump Warns of Pulling of FIFA World Cup Games from Massachusetts, Olympics from California

Donald Trump has yet again stated he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament events from a venue based on that city's political climate, with the Boston region now being the most recent urban area to receive such warnings from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either event, he is able to exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each event to change venues.

Background of Comments

The remarks were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a $20 billion financial assistance for the Argentine nation. At the end of the meeting, a reporter inquired Trump about a latest unauthorized gathering in downtown Boston where law enforcement were assaulted and a patrol car was ignited. The correspondent also asked if such events could cause the loss of organizing rights for the 48-team World Cup.

“I would take them away,” Trump remarked regarding the World Cup games, set to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is ineffective … she is extremist, and they are taking over parts of the city. That’s a pretty big statement, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Public disruptions, a social media-driven occurrence where groups of people assemble on public avenues after dark to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have been a frequent issue in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Current incidents have become aggressive in the region, notably in downtown. Yet, these events are generally not seen as associated with any particular political ideology.

“When someone is performing poorly, and I believe exist unsafe conditions, I will call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and suggest let’s move it to a different city,” he stated on Tuesday. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump before the 2026 event, set to be hosted in numerous American venues across the United States along with two in Canada and three in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has participated at various Oval Office gatherings, facilitated Trump present the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East earlier in 2025.

Earlier Warnings

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of soccer games from other US host cities. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar criticism, with Trump asserting both locations were “led by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they are doing,” while challenging the public safety of both cities and claiming that matches could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a event in England.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” Montagliani declared. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is more important than them and the game will endure their administration and their government. It's the beauty of football, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I believed LA was not sufficiently organized, I would shift it to a different city if necessary,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a varying approval, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come via the IOC. Their president, she, was selected to her post in this year and has so far not appear together with the former president, though she said that she would like a discussion with Trump at eventually.

Additional Criticism

Trump also condemned California governor Newsom’s handling of the blazes, saying that a similar situation could cause the relocation of the Olympics.

“If he doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” the former president commented.

The warning was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“The city should address these issues,” Trump stated. “It's I will say.”