🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump has once again announced he would pressure FIFA to pull 2026 World Cup matches from a host city based on the local politics, with the Boston region emerging as the third such city to face such threats from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would contemplate similar action against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he may exert influence the organizing committees managing each event to change venues.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the announcement of a $20 billion rescue package for the South American country. Toward the conclusion of the meeting, a journalist questioned Trump about a recent public disturbance in downtown Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also wondered if these incidents could result in the removal of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“We could take them away,” the former president remarked concerning the World Cup games, set to be staged at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she is far-left, and they are taking over parts of Boston. That’s a pretty big statement, don't you think?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where groups of people congregate on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have emerged as a ongoing problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have turned violent in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are generally not regarded as associated with any particular ideological group.

“When a mayor is failing, and I believe exist dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is outstanding, and suggest it should be shifted to a different city,” the former president commented during the event. “He'd do that. He wouldn’t love to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the 2026 event, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the America along with a couple in Canada and a few in Mexico. The head has appeared at various White House events, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after the championship match, and has even postponed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a trip to the Arab region earlier in 2025.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of soccer events from different locations. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis faced similar statements, with Trump stating both cities were “run by far-left extremists who lack understanding what they are doing,” while questioning the security conditions of both locales and claiming that matches could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded afterward at a gathering in London.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani stated. “Politely to national heads, the sport is more important than any individual and the game will endure their regime and their policies. That’s the essence of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

During the event, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston included a parallel statement regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“In case I believed Los Angeles was not going to be adequately ready, I'd relocate it to another location if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I might have to secure a varying approval, but we would do that.”

Official consent Trump alluded to would need to come from the IOC. Their leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her role in March and has so far not appear together with him, although she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Further Comments

He also questioned Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s LA wildfires, remarking that a parallel incident could cause the cancellation of the Games.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we will have to be strict,” Trump commented.

His statement was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston should clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all I can say.”